Category: Uncategorized

PONCE, PUERTO RICO, August 9, 2023.- Canada impressively defeated Peru in five thrilling (3-2) sets on the fourth day of the XX Senior Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce. 

Canada (2-1) achieved its second victory with a score of 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 13-25 and 15-6. 

After winning the first two sets, the Canadian team suffered from a revival of Peru’s offense accompanied by effective blocking and defense. Peru rallied and convincingly won the third and fourth sets to spark a fifth set. 

Then, Canada made a magnificent comeback in the game by mercilessly dominating the fifth set, 15-6, and taking the important victory. 

Canadians Andrea Mitrovic and Hilary Howe contributed 19 points each. Mitrovic with 17 attacks, one block and one ace; Howe with 17 kills, 2 blocks; and Shainah Joseph added 11 points (10 attacks, one ace). For Peru, captain Karla Ortiz with 17 points (14 attacks, 3 blocks); Ysabella Sánchez with 16 points (15 attacks, one block); and María Paula Rodríguez with 14 points (12 kills, 2 blocks). 

Peru (1-2) will face Colombia (2-1) tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., and Canada (2-1) closes the preliminary round tomorrow against the United States (3-0) at 6:00 p.m. 

Shannon Winzer, Coach of Canadá: “I think anytime you’re able to win in five sets when you’re pushed to that fifth set and winning, I think that’s always a nice feeling. We still need to find a way to play consistently. I thought we controlled first contact well, but finding solutions on attack versus a very strong Peru defense was difficult for us tonight, so we must keep trying to find ways to find those attacking solutions. It is an important victory for us. I think this should guarantee us into the quarterfinals, so tonight was an important game for us for sure”. 

Francisco Hervas Tirado, Coach of Peru: “Playing well and losing is part of what happens sometimes. The team showed a good face today and the girls fought a lot, and they took the game to the moment we were able to win it. Unfortunately, in the fifth set, we weren’t able to find the rhythm at the beginning and it was already very difficult for us against the Canadian team who are very strong, very physical. But, we are happy and the girls have made a great effort. Now it’s time to think about tomorrow’s game. Tomorrow is another story and we will start from scratch”.

PONCE, PUERTO RICO, August 6, 2023.- The host team of the XX Women Senior Pan American Cup, Puerto Rico, began their participation with an exciting victory against Chile (25-22, 25-17, 25- 23). 

Puerto Rico had a difficult rival against Chile, who surprised in the third set. Chile had an advantage, 8-6, 16-14 and 19-14; but Puerto Rico with six points in a row took the lead, 20-19, and ultimately won the set. 

Puerto Rico dominated in blocks, 6-1, but Chile was better in serving with 6 aces against only one for the locals. In attacks, Puerto Rico made 122 kills and Chile, 119. 

Pilar Victoriá was the best scorer with 17 points (16 attacks, one block), Alondra Vázquez (10 attacks, 1 block); Brittany Abercrombie with 10 points in attacks. For Chile, captain Beatriz Novoa was the best scorer with 16 points (15 attacks, 1 block); Florencia Giglio with eight points, all in attacks; and Paula Vallejos with seven points (6 attacks, one ace). 

Chile will play tomorrow against the Dominican Republic who had the day off, at 6:00 p.m., and Puerto Rico at 8:00 p.m. against Argentina. 

Fernando Morales, Coach of Puerto Rico: “A very good victory. Chile is a team that is improving a lot. Obviously, as they are hosting the Pan American Games, they are investing in their team to improve. It was a great match to start the Cup because it made us work and prepare for tomorrow against Argentina. Today we were able to win the third set while down and that is very important because we know that with tough teams we will be down, and today we did”. 

Shara Venegas, Captain of Puerto Rico: “Chile has a great team and a good level, but we were able to come out with the victory. This game was excellent because it prepares us for tomorrow against Argentina”. 

Alejandro Marín Hormazábal, Coach of Chile: “It was a tough game. We played with the local team in Chile’s debut. The truth is that it got complicated for us at some point in the game. In the first set we had a good match, and then in the third, we had it to win it. We are at the level of the competition and that leaves us very calm for all the work we have been doing. Tomorrow we are going against the champion (Dominican Republic), a very difficult team with very experienced players, but we are going to show that we have grown a lot at the South American and international level”.

PONCE, PUERTO RICO, August 6, 2023.- Colombia was able to stop Canada’s push to achieve an important victory on the first day of the XX Senior Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce. 

Colombia defeated Canada in four sets: 25-19, 25-20, 24-26 and 25-19. 

The South Americans presented great defense, good service and effective blocking at the net to dominate the match. But, in the third set, Canada benefited of Colombia’s mistakes to take advantage. Both teams battled for control and with three straight points, Canada sparked the fourth set.  

Colombia returned to its game and took the win. 

Outside hitters Ana Karina Olaya and Amanda Coneo were the best scorers for Colombia with 16 points each. Olaya got 11 attacks, two blocks and three aces and Coneo, with 14 attacks and 2 blocks. Dayana Segovia had 12 points, on eight kills, three in blocks and one ace. 

For Canada, Andrea Mitrovic was the best scorer of the match with 21 points (16 attacks, one block and 4 aces). Hilary Howe with 16 points (15 attacks and one ace); and Layne Van Buskirk with 12 points (10 attacks and two blocks). 

Colombia rests tomorrow, and Canada will face Costa Rica at 2:00 p.m. 

Antonio Rizola Neto, Coach of Colombia: “It was a very important victory against Canada for two points: the Cup championship and for beating Canada (#12), which is ahead of us (Colombia #18) in the world ranking. A win against Canada represents a lot of points. I don’t care that we lost one, we have to win three and we did it.” 

Amanda Coneo Cadona, Player from Colombia: “Thank God that it went very well for us. We knew it was going to be quite difficult, but the team did what they had to do. We were very respectful of the rules. We had a bit of difficulty receiving, but we made up for it in defense, serving and blocking”. 

Shannon Winzer, Coach of Canada: “I think we lacked consistency throughout the whole game. It took us a really long time to warm up to play at the level that was required to beat Colombia. Colombia did a very good job defensively and hopefully next game will be a little bit more consistent. (Third set) it was a good set, but still we would get a lead, we would lose it, we’d come back, we’d lose it. So still lacking that consistency with First contact and just managing those simple plays. So, it’s great to come back. It shows a lot of character, but still, I expect us to play a much higher level.