August 26, 2025.- Three-time world champions Cuba ended their participation in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship on a positive note on Tuesday, when they defeated rookies Slovakia in their last match in Phuket.
Cubans and Slovakians entered the court in Thailand already without chances of making it to the elimination rounds, but both sides wanted to pick up their first victory in the tournament before heading back home and the Caribbean were the ones to do it, prevailing 3-1 (27-25, 25-21, 22-25, 26-24) in an exciting match.
With the victory, the Cubans collected their first three points in the tournament and finished the Preliminary Phase in third place in Pool B. Slovakia didn’t get any points in their first-ever World Championship appearance and were fourth.
Cuban outside hitter Evilania Martinez led her team’s offense with 20 points (19 kills, one block). Middle blockers Laura Suárez (17) and Dayana Martínez (11), opposite Dezirett Madan (14) and outside hitter Whitney James (13) all got to double digits in scoring as well in the last Cuban match in the tournament.
“We entered the court today with a lot of confidence in the work we’ve been making and the process we’re going through and determined to get the win,” Suárez analyzed. “I thought the team had a different attitude today, and I’m happy that it led us to taking the win.”
Slovakia had the match’s leading scorer, as outside hitter Zuzana Šepeľová registered 25 points, with 22 kills, two blocks and one ace. Fellow outside hitters Karolína Fričová, with 15, and Simona Jelínková, with 12, also had good performances in the team’s last match in Thailand.
Cuba built their tight victory at the net, where they outscored Slovakia in both kills (63 to 58) and blocks (12 to 11). The Europeans fired the most aces (six to five) and each team gave away 25 points in errors.
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