LA PAZ, Baja California, June 10, 2022.- Argentina dominated Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-13) to move into the semifinals of the Women’s U21 Pan American Cup being held at Arena La Paz in Baja California Sur.
Argentina (3-1) will play against the host Mexico in Saturday’s semifinals. Puerto Rico (1-2) will face the loser of the other quarter final match between Cuba and Chile.
The tournament qualifies the two top teams of NORCECA to the 2023 FIVB World Championship.
Argentina won their quarter final pushed by Puerto Rico only in the first set, then they went forward with no complications grabbing their semifinal spot.
The South Americans held a huge 42-19 advantage in attacks and a comfortable 8-3 margin in both blocks and aces. Puerto Rico committed fewer errors (17-20) than Argentina.
Opposite hitter Valentina Vaulet and middle blocker Avril Garcia scored 12 points apiece as Argentina’s leading scorers. Vaulet with 10 kills and two aces, and Garcia with 7 kills and 5 blocks. Outside hitter Milena Margaria added 9 points.
Outside hitter and team captain Valeria Flores led Puerto Rico with 8 points on 7 kills and one block, joined by outside hitter Grace Lopez with 6 points on 4 kills and 2 serves.
Victoria Caballero, Captain of Argentina: “We are always focused on our game, every match is intense and important. We were focused on our serves, putting in the ball at the firs and we played defensively as well”.
Valeria Flores, Capitana de Puerto Rico: “We lacked communication and energy, added to the fact that we are tired, but mostly we didn’t execute. They (Argentina) had more energy than us. Our expectation for our next performance is to win”.
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