Cuba’s under-21 men’s volleyball team defeated Canada 3-0 on July 7, qualifying for the NORCECA Continental Tournament semifinals, taking place in Canada. It took Cuba one hour and seven minutes to defeat the hosts, with a more effective serve (9-0)and attack (41-28).
As it stands Cuba could face the United States in the bout for the gold, just like in Havana in June during theNORCECA under-19 competition, where the home team brought the visitors to their knees in the most exciting and high quality game of the tournament.
Offense was assumed by wings Miguel Gutiérrez (17) and Miguel A. López Castro (12), opposite José Carlos Romero (11) and center Roamy Alonso (9), while blocker José Massó contributed five points toward the team’s third consecutive win.
Top scorers on the Canadian team were Sharone Vernon-Evans (9) and Eric Loeppky (8), while this defeat saw the team finish in second place in the group, following their two wins against Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Cubans won their first game against the Trinidad and Tobago team (25-15, 25-6, 25-16), in just 43 minutes, also defeating the Guatemalans last night, July 7, in straight sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-10).
The United States tops Group A after two 3-0 wins against Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and like Cuba directly qualifies for the tournament semifinals. (Excerpts from JIT)
