The first day of the Movistar Pan American Women’s Volleyball Cup closed up without major surprises but not before going through many emotions and tense moments as Argentina, United States, Peru, Cuba, Mexico and Dominican Republic all opened with victories.
A relentless Cuba had to battle for five sets before defeating Canada while Dominican Republic defeated Brazil in four sets, including the kilometrical fourth by score of 35-33.
The preliminary phase of the twelve-team competition continues on Tuesday in the cities of Callao, Huacho and Iquitos. Pool A in Callao
Argentina 3, Puerto Rico 0 Argentina opened the Movistar Women’s Pan American Cup with a straight-set (25-23, 25-21, 25-15) victory over Puerto Rico. Paula Nizetich led Argentina with 14 points followed by Lucia Fresco and Emilce Sosa with 11 and 10 respectively. Josefina Fernandez and Natalia Aispirua contributed 9 and 8. For Puerto Rico Lynda Morales finished with 9 points. Argentina held advantages of 13-9 in blocking and 6-2 in aces. Both teams gave away 20 points via unforced errors. United States 3, Trinidad & Tobago 0 Defending champions United States breezed past Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-13) in the second match. The Americans established a fast tempo and balanced attack while dominating in blockings (13-4) and service aces (9-0). Lauren Gibbenmeyer led USA with 11 points, including three blocks, while Kristin Hildebrand added 10. Nicole Fawcett had 6 aces among her nine points and Rachel Adams had 8 points with four blocks.
Pool B in Iquitos
Peru 3, Costa Rica 0 Peru began its participation at the Movistar Women's Pan American Cup beating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-16) in a match of Group B that lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes. Karla Ortiz was the top scorer for the home team with 13 points followed by Patricia Soto and Raffaella Camet who finished with 10 points apiece.
Cuba 3, Canada 2 Cuba recovered from a 0-2 deficit to overcome Canada 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-13 despite their 42 unforced errors. Ana Cleger and Sulien Matienzo led five Cubans with double digits in the scores with 22 and 17 points respectively. Yoana Palacios and Alena Rojas each contributed 13 while Rosana Giel added 10 points. Canada’s Margaret Barclay finished with 13 points followed by Jaimie Thibeault and Kyla Richey each with 12 and Shanice Marcelle with 10. Pool C in Huacho Mexico 3, Colombia 0 Prolific scorer Samantha Bricio made a successful return to her national team as she had a match-high 22 points leading the 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-16) victory of Mexico over Colombia. Elizabeth Sainz and Alejandra Isiordia tallied 9 and 8 points respectively for the winning side while Colombian Dana Escobar finished with 11. Mexico held a 6-2 margin in aces and Colombia led 9-7 in blockings. The winners made 19 errors to 28 by the losers.
Dominican Republic 3, Brazil 1 Dominican Republic won an intense fourth set to defeat Brazil in four legs 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 35-33. Yonkaira Peña and Bethania de la Cruz scored 22 and 19 points, with five and two aces respectively, to spearhead the offense of the Caribbean girls. Candida Arias had 11 points, including five blocks for the winners. Brazil’s Sara Silva and Gabriela Guimaraes finished with 15 points apiece while Rosamaría Montibeller and Valquiria Carboni each had 14. The Brazilians were superior in blocks 15-9 and both teams scored with 9 aces. The Dominicans committed fewer unforced errors 21-29.
