Nicaragua Secures Third Win by Defeating Belize

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 26, 2024.- Nicaragua (3-0) battled to a 3-1 victory (26-24, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21) over Belize (1-2) to close out the third day of the inaugural AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

Belize missed two set points in the first set, leading 24-22, but eventually lost 24-26, which energized Nicaragua to come out strong in the second and third sets.

The match was closely contested, with both teams going on scoring runs, but Nicaragua finished stronger, particularly with effective serves that threw their opponents off balance.

Jaycee Usher BIZ

Belize was slightly better in attack, 46-45, while Nicaragua led in blocking, 6-3. Both teams were even in serving, with 10 aces each. Nicaragua committed 25 unforced errors, compared to 37 by Belize.

Nicaragua’s top scorers were Luisa Ríos and Lucía Columna with 12 points each, Karen Bird with 11, and Franchesca Viera with 10. For Belize, Emaun Marín led with 21 points, and Akili Jones added 18.

On Friday, during the fourth day of competition, Belize will face Honduras at 4:00 p.m., while Nicaragua and Costa Rica will play for the undefeated record at 6:30 p.m.

Lucía Columna NCA

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

Claudia Noguera, Head coach of Nicaragua: “Belize is one of the countries that has improved significantly in volleyball development over the past few years, and this was an important match. They pushed us to the limit, but the girls managed to stay focused, which is great for our morale ahead of tomorrow’s match against Costa Rica”.

José Fontes, Head coach of Belize: “Emotional control was key in today’s match. Nicaragua is a very solid team in all aspects of the game. I even think we were slightly better at serving. We played a strong first and third set, and the fourth set was close until the end. We take away this positive experience and know that we need to keep working hard for better results”.

El Salvador Stages Comeback to Defeat Honduras

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 26, 2024.- El Salvador pulled off a great comeback, winning 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-23) against Honduras to secure their first victory in the inaugural AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

Honduras came into the first set energized, winning 25-22 with strong blocking and effective serves. However, El Salvador shook off that initial blow and returned to convincingly win the second and third sets, capitalizing on their rivals’ mistakes, as Honduras struggled to find a response.

Paola Juárez ESA

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

In total, Honduras committed 47 unforced errors, while El Salvador had 36. El Salvador dominated in attack (39-25) and service (9-8), while Honduras led in blocking (8-2), with five effective blocks from Virginia Herdocia.

For El Salvador, Adriana Vargas scored 11 points and Katya Cunza added 10. Herdocia was the top scorer for Honduras with 12 points.

On Friday, during the fourth day of competition, El Salvador will face Guatemala at 1:30 p.m., and Honduras will play Belize at 4:00 p.m.

Enny Ramos de Honduras

Pedro Rivas, Head coach of El Salvador: “We have been playing against two teams of almost our level, Guatemala and Belize, teams in our range. We’ve been working toward improving our game, which comes with match volume and experience. The team has been progressing, and today we saw the result against Honduras, who are also on our level. Honduras is a very resilient team that gave us trouble, but thanks to the talent of the girls, we managed to overcome the situation. After the first set, which was a bit complicated, we wanted to see how the team would perform, and we found our rhythm, which we maintained throughout the following sets, and ultimately, we won”.

Cristiam Rodríguez, Head coach of Honduras: “Honestly, we had different expectations for this match. Losing in this way is a bit difficult. We made too many unnecessary errors, and El Salvador took full advantage and deserved the win. With girls this age, it’s tough sometimes. The preparation might be good, but internally, we don’t always know how they’re feeling. We’ll try to change that for the upcoming matches. I believe it’s also part of the growth in this age group. We’re looking forward to giving the younger girls, who are still U15, more experience, so that in the future, in this age group, the outcome may be different”.

Costa Rica Remains Undefeated Against a Competitive Guatemala

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 26, 2024.- Costa Rica (3-0) pushed to the limit to defeat a fierce Guatemala (1-2) with a 3-1 victory (25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23) at the start of the third day of the inaugural AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

Costa Rica’s unbeaten streak was in jeopardy due to Guatemala’s intensity, as they fought and pressured throughout the match. However, Costa Rica’s focus and ability to win key points once again secured them the victory.

Jimena Alfaro – Nicole Leiva CRC

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

Amanda Campos with 11 points, along with Luciana Vargas and Nicole Leiva with 9 points each, were the best performers for Costa Rica. For Guatemala, Melissa Guerra and Regina Porres led with 13 points each, followed by Natalia Pérez with 12 points.

Costa Rica capitalized on 41 points from opponent errors, while committing 23. They also outperformed in blocking, 6-4. Guatemala led in attacks, 49-41, and in serving, 12-4.

On Friday, during the fourth day of competition, Guatemala will face El Salvador at 1:30 p.m. and Costa Rica will take on Nicaragua at 6:30 p.m.

Costa Rica

Amanda Campos Monge, Costa Rica’s top scorer: “We knew it wouldn’t be an easy match, we were mentally prepared for that. We worked on it for several days and handled it very well. Guatemala played excellently, they complicated things for us in the second set, but we stayed mentally strong and managed to secure the victory. It’s a great feeling to look at the stands and see our families supporting us. It’s incredibly satisfying to know they will always be there for us through thick and thin”.

Regina Porres Garrido, Guatemala’s captain: “We had this match in our sights, and we’ve been working hard because we knew its importance. We gave it our all, with a lot of energy and everything we had, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get the victory. Losses teach us a lot, and we will always keep moving forward”.

Nicaragua prevails over a combative Honduras

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 25, 2024.- Nicaragua needed four sets, 3-1 (25-6, 17-25, 25-11, 25-15), to defeat a battling Honduras in the closing match of the second day of the First AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

After a dominant first set for Nicaragua, 25-6, Honduras started the second set strong, leading 7-1 thanks to their effective serving, which disrupted the defense and attack of the home team. Honduras’ lead was enough to survive several comebacks from the Nicaraguan side, who fell short and lost the set 17-25.

Karen Bird NCA

In the third and fourth sets, Nicaragua regained their strength, particularly with their serving, achieving double digits in aces (outscoring Honduras 18-6 in serves) for the second consecutive match, while also leading in attacks 35-19 and blocks 8-4.

The top scorer was Nicaragua’s Lucía Columna with 15 points, followed by Emely Gutiérrez with 13 (including six aces) and María Ebank with 10 (five blocks). For Honduras, Luna Janania had 7 points and Virginia Herdocia 6.

On Thursday, on day three, Honduras will play El Salvador at 4:00 p.m., and Nicaragua will face Belize at 6:30 p.m.

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

Denixa Zeledón, captain of Nicaragua: “I’m very satisfied with the work we did. It was a tough match because Honduras has strong defense and attack, which made things difficult for us, but we were able to get the result. We’ve improved a lot in reception and defense thanks to our coaches”.

Karen Bird NCA

Claudia Noguera, Head coach of Nicaragua: “It was a good win, and it’s important to secure victory even if we lose a set. I think the girls became anxious and lost concentration, but in the end, we regained the rhythm of the game. We’ve been focusing on our serving, which is fundamental in this sport, and things are going well”.

Cistiam Rodríguez, Head coach of Honduras: “Today’s match was very satisfying; we played better than yesterday, won a set, but unfortunately didn’t secure the victory. However, I think it shows progress as a team despite missing a key player. The level of competition in this tournament is high, and sometimes the girls can’t control their emotions because they’re so young, but it’s gratifying to see them improve with each match”.

Costa Rica secures second victory by defeating El Salvador

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 25, 2024. – Costa Rica earned their second victory by defeating El Salvador 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-19) on the second day of the First AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

At times, El Salvador put pressure on Costa Rica, staying tied until the second technical timeout (16), but from then on, Costa Rica maintained composure and relied on their serve, which once again made the difference.

Costa Rica celebra victoria

Costa Rica led in attacks 44-24, in blocks 4-1, and in serves 11-3, with seven aces from Nicole Leiva and three from Nadia Granados, though they committed more unforced errors with 23 to El Salvador’s 16.

Leiva was Costa Rica’s top scorer with 14 points, and Campos added 13, the same as Charlotte Martínez. For El Salvador, Tatiana Gómez finished with seven points.

On Thursday, on day three, Costa Rica will play Guatemala at 1:30 p.m., and El Salvador will face Honduras at 4:00 p.m.

Jimena Alfaro CRC

ALBUM DE FOTOS

Kareem Richard, Head coach of Costa Rica: “Thank God we were able to get the victory. It was a bit difficult, but we understand that this is normal at this level. The positive thing is how the girls managed to bounce back after hitting a rough patch. Now we need to keep growing, and that’s what this age group is for – to keep learning and developing our future national team athletes”.

Pedro Rivas, Head coach of El Salvador: “We thought we were better prepared to compete a bit more against Costa Rica. We made a lot of mistakes in the first set, which cost us, but we tried to turn things around. The girls gained confidence and shook off their nerves by the third set. We know they’re young, for some this is their first event, so it was a good result. I’m proud of the girls for putting Costa Rica, a well-prepared team, under pressure”.

Belize battles through four sets to defeat Guatemala

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 25, 2024.- Belize secured their first victory by defeating Guatemala 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21) at the start of the second day of the AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’  Championship.

Belize showed more organization and strength in attack, especially with captain Akili Jones, who scored 27 points, six of them from serves. Emaun Marín finished with 19 points, four of them from blocks and 14 from attacks. For Guatemala, Melissa Guerra ended with 13 points, and Natalia Pérez with 9.

Belice celebra triunfo

Belize outperformed in attack 41-34, in blocks 10-4, while Guatemala took the advantage in serves 13-11. Belize committed 39 errors compared to Guatemala’s 36.

On Thursday, on the third day of competition, Guatemala will face Costa Rica at 1:30 p.m., and Belize will play against Nicaragua at 6:30 p.m.

ALBUM DE FOTOS

Akili Jones, captain of Belize: “We enjoyed today’s match. We are very excited, it’s our first win of the tournament, and we’re really hoping to win more. Yesterday we were off our game; we didn’t play at our best level. Today, we regrouped and played harder”.

Akili Jones de Belice remata

José Fontés, Head coach of Belize:   “Yes, it was a hard-fought victory, but it’s a very important one, especially because, as I’ve said from the beginning, the goal is to keep growing and improving our game. Today, we did very well in the first two sets, the first one was played well and very effectively with our serve. Afterward, we dropped off a little, but that’s normal in these types of events and at this age. A very important factor is that we played with two athletes, one aged 15 and the other 13, on the court, and that makes me very happy with how they handled the situations at such a young age”.

Julio Dominguez, Head coach of Guatemala:   “This tournament was created to develop the level in the region, and that’s how it is: you win some, you lose some. But today, we saw a very high level for this age group. I believe the team needs to make more tactical adjustments, become more disciplined, so they can keep fighting for the medals. We have a situation with the players where emotions play a very important role. But we’re going to keep fighting, trusting in God that we’ll stay strong because we still have more matches ahead”.

USA Volleyball Announces John Speraw as President & CEO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, September 2025.– USA Volleyball is pleased to announce that it has hired John Speraw to serve as its president and Chief Executive Officer, starting on October 1.

Prior to becoming the eighth CEO of USA Volleyball, Speraw has served as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team since 2013 and has been part of the team’s leadership for almost two decades.

 “My journey with USA Volleyball began in 1997 as an assistant coach for the World University Games team,” Speraw said. “Reflecting on the teams, players, staff and experiences over the years, I am filled with immense gratitude. To now be entrusted with the opportunity to lead USA Volleyball as president and CEO is both a profound honor and deeply humbling.

“This journey has deepened my passion for this organization—representing our country, advancing the sport, and elevating the experience for everyone involved.

“I am sincerely grateful to the USA Volleyball Board of Directors for this honor and responsibility. I am ready to lead. I am ready to serve.”

Speraw’s coaching and leadership roles within USA Volleyball bring a unique blend of executive vision, recognition of the diverse and complex ecosystem of the sport and expertise in the international scene.

His strategic vision of the sport’s evolution is critically important as USA Volleyball prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympics in Los Angeles and the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia.

Speraw is also the founder of First Point Volleyball, an organization dedicated to supporting the growth of boys’ and men’s volleyball across the country.

USA Volleyball Board of Directors Chair Dave Gentile expressed gratitude for everyone involved in the extensive six-month search process for a new CEO.

“What a wonderful cadre of potential leaders that worked through the interview process,” Gentile said. “All of our finalists were highly talented on many fronts, and we thank them for their interest in and support of USA Volleyball.

“The search group composed of key USA Volleyball Board members concluded that John’s overall sport acumen, demeanor, energy, leadership skills and vision for the future of the sport were clearly aligned with the Board’s expectations for the next generation of USA Volleyball.

“Along with the full Board and staff, I look forward to working closely with John over the next several years as he prepares the organization for LA28 and beyond. We are also confident that John’s leadership will always have the mission and role of USA Volleyball as the National Governing Body of the sport of volleyball at the forefront of all we do.”

Besides coaching the U.S. Men’s Team, Speraw has been the head men’s volleyball coach at UCLA since 2012 and guided the Bruins to the NCAA Division I-II National Championship in 2023 and 2024.

Prior to UCLA, Speraw coached UC Irvine men’s volleyball (2002-12) and directed the Anteaters to three NCAA National Championships in six years.

He played middle blocker for the Bruins from 1992-95 and was a member of two national championship teams. He graduated from UCLA in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology and molecular genetics

Speraw and wife Michelle live in Southern California with their two children, Hailey and Brooklyn.

Nicaragua defeats Honduras on opening day of the U17 Championship

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 24, 2024. – Nicaragua opened with a 3-0 victory (25-12, 25-09, 25-19) against El Salvador in the closing match of the first day of the AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

The home team took advantage of their strong serve, scoring 16 points, with Brisa Bermúdez contributing 5 aces and Emely Gutiérrez adding three more. Nicaragua dominated in serving 16-2, in attacking 32-20, and 3-1 in blocking, also benefiting from 24 opponent errors, compared to their own 17.

Gutiérrez finished with nine points for Nicaragua, while Lucía Columna, Brisa Bermúdez, and Karen Bird each tallied eight points. For El Salvador, Tatiana Gómez scored five points.

Karen Bird de Nicaragua ataca

On Wednesday, during the second day, El Salvador faces Costa Rica at 4:00 p.m., and Nicaragua will play against Honduras at 6:30 p.m.

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

Claudia Noguera, coach of Nicaragua: “At the beginning, the girls were a bit nervous, but that’s normal in this age group. Later, they started to focus well, began doing their job, and played as they are used to. This victory is important because it’s positive for the team to get a good result on the first day. This game gave us the opportunity to see what options we have for the upcoming matches. We know this age group is very evenly matched, and we will always focus on each game”.

Pedro Rivas, coach of El Salvador: “Honestly, the work we did with the girls paid off. We started with an advantage against Nicaragua, but like all the teams in this tournament, these are girls playing for the first time, almost 80% of the team, and in the end, it takes its toll. The anxiety of the Salvadoran girls caused them to make mistakes, but I think the first and third sets were of a good level. In the second set, our team dropped a lot emotionally, but we managed to lift it in the third set, almost forcing a fourth”.

Guatemala Secures Victory Over Honduras

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 24, 2024.- Guatemala earned an important 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-21) victory over Honduras thanks to an effective serve, in the second match of the opening day of the First AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship.

Honduras maintained pressure throughout the match, but Guatemala responded at key moments with their strong serving, earning 12 points, including five from Katherine Vaughn and four from Natalia Pérez.

Guatemala celebra victoria

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

Guatemala outperformed in attack 35-24 and in serving 12-4, although Honduras led in blocking 5-2. Guatemala made 30 unforced errors, compared to 26 by Honduras.

Andrea Garcés scored 12 points, Vaughn contributed 10, and Melissa Guerra added 9 for Guatemala; meanwhile, Honduras had Nicole Velásquez with nine points.

This Wednesday, on the second day of competition, Guatemala faces Belize at 1:30 p.m., and Honduras takes on Nicaragua at 6:30 p.m.

Regina Porres, captain of Guatemala: “We are very happy with this result, we have been working hard for a long time, and we must keep pushing, always putting in full effort. We knew how to handle the pressure from Honduras, especially with our serves, which are very effective, and that helped us maintain the lead”.

Katherine Vaughn de Guatemala remata

Julio Domínguez, coach of Guatemala: “Starting off like this is important for the team because, first, it’s a new category, and traditionally, the first game in any tournament is always unpredictable. But thank God the girls showed the tactical discipline that was needed, along with a positive attitude to secure a 3-0 win. The inconsistencies were expected because they are young but thank God, we were able to control the game”.

Cristiam Rodriguez, coach of Honduras: “It’s challenging to be at this stage with such young girls. We know there can be many errors in this age group, but I am very pleased despite the loss, as I can see their development, and I know things will improve even more in the future. We know they’re not immune to mistakes; we missed key points at the end of each set, but we will improve as the tournament progresses”.

Costa Rica Opens with a Win Against Belize in the AFECAVOL U17 Tournament

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 24, 2024.- Costa Rica started strong with a 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-16, 25-23) against Belize in the opening match of the First Central American U17 Girls’ Championship by AFECAVOL. 

The Costa Rican team showed solid blocking and attacking, and although Belize put pressure in the third set, Costa Rica finished strong with good defense to secure the match point.

Jimena Alfaro libero y Nicole Leiva de Costa Rica intentan salvar el balón

Amanda Campos was Costa Rica’s top scorer with 18 points, eight of them in the first set, while Michelle Arias added 10. For Belize, Akili Jones recorded 12 points. 

Costa Rica outperformed Belize in attacks 37-28, also in blocks 4-0, while both teams were tied in service points with six each. Belize committed 28 unforced errors compared to Costa Rica’s 19. 

On Wednesday, during the second day of competition, Belize will face Guatemala at 1:30 p.m., and Costa Rica will play against El Salvador at 4:00 p.m. 

ALBUM DE FOTOS DEL JUEGO

Costa Rica celebra victoria

Nadia Granados, captain of Costa Rica: “We are super excited because this was our goal, to win. We are very motivated because we’ve worked hard for this. Now we have more matches coming up, and we will keep working hard. I think we handled the nerves and anxiety of the first match well, we were able to control our emotions and close out the game”.

Kareem Richard, coach of Costa Rica: “It’s always extremely important to start with a win. Belize is a good team, with a great coaching staff, and they always have good physical conditions. Our technique and tactics made the difference because, at this age, the first game is always challenging, even for a coach. But the girls responded well, and we have an excellent group.” 

José Fontes, coach of Belize: “Our goal is to grow, and I believe we did that because the team looked different between the first and third sets. We had some issues in defense, but I’m satisfied, especially with what we did in the third set, as we were up against Costa Rica, a great team.”

New AFECAVOL Talents to Take the Court at the U17 Women’s Championship

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 23, 2024. – The first Central American U17Girls’  Championship, organized by the Association of Central American Volleyball Federations (AFECAVOL), offers a great opportunity to witness emerging talents and the ongoing development of youth volleyball in the region. 

The coaches of the six competing teams emphasized the importance of such a tournament for this age group, as it marks the first competitive steps for these players. 

José Fontes, Head coach of Belize: “Belize’s expectations are to see our players grow, as they don’t have much competitive experience. The first thing we will demand is that they improve and have the right attitude both on and off the court. It’s a great opportunity for all of them to grow and start learning what competition is about”.

Belize

Julio Dominguez, Head coach of Guatemala: “This is a very important category because it forms the foundation for our federations, as athletes for future national teams will come from here. We are eager and enthusiastic to begin this competition, which we expect to be very balanced. We thank AFECAVOL for taking the initiative to launch this age group”.

Guatemala

Pedro Rivas, coach of El Salvador: “This is a new tournament for the region, and we are very happy that AFECAVOL decided to host this event for girls in this age group. We are prepared to compete, and we hope to surprise other teams. We know all the countries are strong, but we will do our best”.

El Salvador

Cristiam Rodríguez, Head coach of Honduras: “We’ve come with a solid process, and we hope to perform well and secure a spot on the podium. I believe this category is very important because the development of girls at this age is more challenging. There are more mistakes, and more corrections are needed, so being in competition will help us a lot. We all want to perform well, and it’s going to be a great tournament”.

Honduras

Claudia Noguera, Head  coach of Nicaragua: “Our goal is to represent our country with dignity. We have a group of talented young players, and we hope to be fighting for a spot on the podium. This age group is essential because it marks the beginning of an athlete’s career, and their development at this stage is key to achieving a good playing rhythm as they transition to adulthood”.

Nicaragua

Kareem Richard, Head coach of Costa Rica: “Our expectations are very high. Costa Rica always strives to be a reference point, and we have worked on both technical and tactical aspects to ensure a good performance in this inaugural tournament for this age group. The girls are excited, as is the coaching staff, and we are eagerly waiting for the event to start”.

Costa Rica

The tournament will be held from Tuesday to Saturday at the Volleyball Gymnasium of the Sports Institute (IND) in Managua, with matches starting at 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday, the opening ceremony will take place before the third match (6:30 p.m.), with local authorities in attendance. 

Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Guatemala Qualify for Asunción 2025

PARAMARIBO, September 21, 2024 – Following the conclusion of the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, NORCECA announced that Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Guatemala have qualified for the Men’s Volleyball tournament at the II Junior Pan American Games to take place in 2025 in Asunción, Paraguay.

The announcement was made by NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz during the closing ceremony of the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, held from September 16 to 21 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The four teams secured their spots in the continent’s most important youth sports event, organized by Panam Sports, after completing the two-stage qualification process established by the NORCECA Confederation.

The first stage took place during the 2023 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup held in Havana, Cuba, where Cuba emerged as the champion and the Dominican Republic as the runner-up, earning the first two NORCECA tickets.

The qualification was completed with Mexico and Guatemala, as they were the highest-ranked NORCECA teams not yet qualified from the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, securing the final two berths.

The four teams now set their sights on Asunción 2025 and will continue their preparation to achieve success on the Junior Pan American stage.

Isaías Aguirre of Mexico Named Most Valuable Player of the U23 Pan American Cup

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 21, 2024. – Mexican outside hitter Isaías Aguirre was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, which concluded on Saturday at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Isaías helped his team win the Cup, claiming the championship after defeating Peru in the gold medal match in four sets.

This is the second time in the history of the Cup that Mexico has won the title. The first gold medal was earned in 2021.

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

Isaías also received two additional awards: Best Spiker and Best Receiver. Other recognitions for Mexico include Diego Ruiz being named Second Best Blocker, and Franky Hernández awarded Best Server.

Other individual awards went to Alonso Porras of Peru, who was named Second Best Spiker.

From the Dominican Republic team, Adrián Figueroa, with a total of 148 points, was the Best Scorer and Best Opposite. Eliander Jiménez was honored as Best Libero and Best Digger, while Moisés Ortiz received the award for Best Blocker.

Cuba’s Yonni Iglesias was recognized as Best Setter.

The Pan American Cup was held from September 16 to 22 and qualified Mexico and Guatemala for the 2nd Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025. Cuba and the Dominican Republic secured their qualification during the 2023 edition of the Cup.

Mexico U23 Men’s Pan American Cup Champion

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 21, 2024 .- Mexico was crowned champion of the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup after winning the gold medal match 3-1 (25-16, 27-25, 21-25, 25-13) against Peru at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname, on the final day of competition.

This is Mexico’s second title in the history of the Cup; they also won gold in 2021 after defeating Puerto Rico. In total, Mexico has won 4 medals: 2 gold and 2 silver.

Peru won its first silver medal in the history of the Cup; last year, they won the bronze medal, giving them a total of two medals.

CUBA, MEXICO AND PERU TOGETHER

Mexico defeated Peru thanks to their superiority in blocking (12-2), as well as their advantage in attacks (57-49) and serves (6-5). Both teams committed 23 unforced errors.

Four Mexican players scored in double digits. Oziel Aguirre led with 22 points (20 attacks, one block, one ace). Franky Hernández contributed 16 points (10 attacks, 3 blocks, 3 aces). Diego Ruiz added 11 points, including a match-high of 5 blocks. Isay Toy scored 10 points.

Peru’s captain, Leonel Despaigne, led all scorers with 25 points (24 attacks, one ace). Also from Peru, Gerardo Chicoma finished with 11 points, all from attacks, and Edgar Vertiz recorded 10 points.

Mexico won the first set, leading throughout, with Franky Hernández as the top scorer, including three aces. The second set was a different story, with the teams tying multiple times, and Peru reaching set point after an attack from their captain, Leonel Despaigne. However, an error allowed Mexico to tie the score at 24, and then Mexico reached set point twice, with Hernández’s powerful offense keeping them ahead 2-0. In the third set, Peru jumped to a three-point lead (11-8) with a serve from Edgar Vertiz and two attacks from Leonel. Mexico tied the score at 12 points with Aguirre leading and Peru committing errors. From there, the score remained close until Peru gained a three-point advantage (19-16), driven by their captain. Peru lost two set points (24-19) due to an attack by Isay Toy and a self-error, but Leonel scored the set point with a soft touch. Mexico started the fourth set with a five-point lead (12-7), with Diego Ruiz putting pressure at the net. Mexico’s dominance grew with the blocking efforts of four players, ending the match with a wide margin.

PABLO RUIZ (MEX)

Renato Soares, Head coach of Mexico: “We prepared for the tournament and the match. We trained on serving, defense, and blocking. We came here to secure qualification for the Junior Pan American Games, and we also wanted to win the competition. The set we lost was due to a lack of focus; being up 2-0, they relaxed, and we shouldn’t think that way”.

Diego Recavarren, Head coach of Peru: “I think the lack of experience in playing finals took its toll. The team entered very nervously, played well at times and not so well at others. Mexico had a very aggressive serve that hurt us a lot, and that didn’t allow us to play at the speed we like, plus their tall blocking. We had played ten sets in two days, which also had an impact. I have nothing to reproach my team for; they fought until the end and showed they know how to play”.

Cuba Wins U23 Pan American Cup Bronze

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 21, 2024. – Cuba won the bronze medal at the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup by defeating Guatemala 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-15) at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname on the last day of competition.

Cuba wrapped up the tournament with a 4-1 record to win their first bronze medal in the history of the event. Cuba has an overall of five medals: 3 gold, one silver and one bronze. While Guatemala ended 4-2.

GUATEMALA CAPTAIN JOSE ZAVALA HANGING IN THE AIR

Cuba led in attacks (41-28), blocks (16-7), and aces (5-4), but conceded more points on errors (19-12).

Cuba’s top scorers were middle blockers Thiago Suárez with 15 points (12 attacks, 3 blocks) and Jakdiel Contreras with 11 points (6 attacks, 5 blocks). Outside hitter Bryan Camino added 10 points.

Opposite hitter Pablo Pérez and captain Yeferson Zavala each scored 11 points for Guatemala.

CUBA CELEBRATING

Guatemala managed to take a 12-11 lead in the first set with a block by middle blocker Christian Alvarez on Jakdiel Contreras. With the score close at 22-20 in Cuba’s favor, Daniel Martínez scored with a kill and an ace, followed by a kill from Contreras, giving Cuba the first set. In the second set, the score remained tight, and Guatemala once again took the lead 12-11 with an ace from Daniel Ralón and then 13-12 with a block from Yeferson Zavala. An attack from Pablo Pérez  put Guatemala ahead 15-14, extending to a two-point lead (17-15). For Cuba, it was a back-and-forth struggle, regaining the lead and then losing it, but Daniel Martínez’s pressure on the service line pushed them to a 21-18 advantage. With an attack from Zavala and another from Alvarez, plus a Cuban error, Guatemala tied the set at 21 points, but Cuba captured the set. Cuba elevated their level of play in the third set, gaining a significant advantage over Guatemala and sealing the bronze medal with a block by Daniel Martínez.

Jesús Angel Cruz, Head coach of Cuba: “After yesterday’s defeat, it was hard to lift the spirits of the guys because our goal was to win the title. Today we came out to win the bronze. Coming into the event already qualified for the Junior Pan American Games allowed us to see some players who hadn’t had much court time”.

Reider Lucas Mora, Head coach of Guatemala: “Today the boys were less pressured than yesterday. I think against Mexico, their desire to do well didn’t allow them to focus, and we couldn’t get into a rhythm. Today, we did things a bit better, knowing it would be difficult against Cuba’s tall blocking. This tournament was very important because we qualified for the Junior Pan American Games, and it helped us see new players in this category”.

Dominican Republic Tops Costa Rica for Fifth Place

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 21, 2024.- Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18) to claim fifth place at the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, which concluded on Saturday at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

This was the second time in the tournament that the Dominican Republic beat Costa Rica. In the preliminary round, the Dominicans defeated the Central Americans, but in four sets.

The Dominican Republic finished with a 3-3 record, while Costa Rica ended with 1-4.

5TH PLACE WINNER DOM WITH 2 SURINAME KIDS

The Dominicans controlled all aspects of the game: attacks (48-26), blocks (7-5), and serves (6-4). Costa Rica made fewer unforced errors (14-18).

Dominican player Adrián Figueroa once again stood out as the top scorer of the match, contributing 26 points (23 attacks, one block, two aces). Middle blocker Moisés Ortiz added 14 points, including a match-high of six blocks, while outside hitter Ronny Molina contributed 11 points.

For Costa Rica, Luis Eduardo Solano and Harold Rodríguez led with 8 points each.

José Alexander Gutiérrez, Head coach of Dominican Republic: “These matches are more mental. We played with more confidence, and there was no pressure; in reality, throughout the tournament, there was no pressure on the team because we were already qualified for Asunción. We were able to test players who have only been working for a few months. This is a project for the future. Now we will prepare for the Junior Pan American Games”.

César Salas, Head coach of Costa Rica: “Today’s match wasn’t our best. I liked that my team grew during the group stage, going toe-to-toe with big teams. We played better against the Dominican Republic in the group stage. I’m satisfied because this is a new project. We did well, and we would have liked to compete more. We’re going back to Costa Rica to keep growing and adding to this project, ensuring it heads in the right direction in the short term”.

Suriname Takes Seventh Place at U23 Pan American Cup

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 21, 2024.- Suriname finished in seventh place at the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup after defeating Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-10) at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Suriname ended the tournament with a 2-4 record, which took place from September 16 to 21. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines closed with a 0-5 record.

It was a match where both teams lacked energy, performing below their capabilities.

7TH PLACE FOR SURINAME

The hosts finished their last match with a 28-23 advantage in attacks, 7-3 in blocks, and 4-3 in serves. Suriname benefited from 36 errors by Saint Vincent and conceded 10.

Outside hitters Shemar Jameson and Carlo Huisden of Suriname scored 9 and 7 points, respectively.

Middle blocker Shadron Delpesche of Saint Vincent was the top scorer with 14 points.

Carlos Orta, Suriname’s coach: “We knew Suriname had to win this match because of the difference in the level of play between the teams. Our true expectation was to be among the top five. This was a new experience for everyone, even for the spectators, to see that this is not a CAZOVA level, it’s Pan-American. We need to prepare better for future events. I’m happy with the boys because they showed that we’ve made good preparations, but we need to prepare even more”.

Daryl Franklyn, Head coach of St. Vincent: “I think the guys were unmotivated because they were playing for the last spots. They came with a kind of defeated mindset, and it showed on the court. They really didn’t fight”.

Mexico to play Peru for Gold at Paramaribo

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 20, 2024. – Mexico defeated Guatemala 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-18) in the semifinals and will play against Peru for the gold medal of the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Mexico reaches its fourth gold medal match in the history of the Cup (2014, 2018, 2021), having won once in 2021.

FINALS FOR MEXICO

Mexico will face Peru on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. for the 2024 title, following the match between Guatemala and Cuba at 3:00 p.m. for the bronze medal. Guatemala won the bronze medal in 2018.

The Mexicans had no trouble dominating Guatemala with an advantage of 34-24 in attacks, 10-2 in blocks, and 9-3 in serves. Mexico gave up 24 points from unforced errors compared to 22 from Guatemala.

Oziel Aguirre scored 13 points (10 attacks, 3 aces) in Mexico’s victory. Franky Hernández contributed 12 points (8 attacks, a match-high  of 4 aces).

FIGUEROA RIGHETTO SCORES FOR MEXICO

Guatemala’s top scorer was Pablo Pérez with 8 points.

Mexico quickly jumped to a comfortable lead (12-4) in the first set, never trailing, and won it with the offense led by Franky Hernández, Oziel Aguirre, and Lorenzo Martínez. Despite Guatemala tying at six points in the second set, Mexico pulled ahead with a 4-0 block advantage, two of which came from José Adame. Mexico’s strong serving in the third set prevented the Central American team from responding, scoring 6 of the 9 total aces with which they closed the match.

Oziel Aguirre of Mexico, the top scorer of the match: “The victory was a team effort. We have worked on several strategies during practice. Besides the serves, it was a combination of factors, including the coaches’ guidance. Now we must face Peru, we saw them against Cuba, and they put on a great performance, well deserved. We can’t be overconfident, and we must give everything on the court, with each player giving their best”.

Peru Stuns Cuba and Will Play for the U23 Pan American Cup Gold

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 20, 2024.- Peru stunned Cuba by winning the semifinal of the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup in five thrilling sets 3-2 (25-13, 18-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-12) on Friday at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

This was the second consecutive five-set match for Peru, their third of the tournament. Peru reaches the gold medal match for the first time in the history of the Cup; last year, they won bronze, their first medal.  

Peru will face the winner of the other semifinal between Guatemala and Mexico on Saturday at 5:00 pm. Cuba will face the loser at 3:00 pm in search of their first bronze medal in the history of the event, having previously won three gold medals (2014, 2018, 2023) and one silver in 2016. 

LEONEL DESPAIGNE (PERU) AND BRYAN MARTINEZ (CUBA) FIGHTING FOR THE BALL

Although Cuba dominated every skill, attacks (60-53), blocks (14-7), and service (7-6), Peru committed fewer errors (22-31) to secure the win. 

The top scorer of the game was Peru’s captain Leonel Despaigne with 24 points (22 attacks, 2 aces). Outside hitters Gerardo Chicoma and Piero Porras contributed to the South American victory with 18 and 11 points, respectively. 

Cuba’s top scorer was outside hitter Bryan Camino with 21 points (19 attacks, 2 aces), followed by middle blocker Thiago Suárez with 20 points (19 attacks, 1 ace). Middle blocker Jakdiel Contreras added 10 points. 

Cuba started with a seven-point lead (10-3) thanks to the attacks of Bryan Camino and Thiago Suárez. Cuba never trailed, closing the first set with a huge margin. Peru managed a three-point lead (5-2) to start the second set with the offense of Piero Porras, Gerardo Chicoma, and Leonel Despaigne. As the set progressed, Peru maintained the lead, doubling Cuba’s points with quick plays, solid defense, and pressure from their serve (16-8). A block by Peruvian middle blocker Andrew Luján on Thiago tied the match. Cuba recovered by jumping to a comfortable lead in the third set, with powerful attacks and taking advantage of Peru’s errors. Cuba won the third with a spike by Thiago. In the fourth set, Cuba held the lead (14-12), with Carlos Pereira joining the offense, but Peru stayed close with Luis Ñiquen scoring along with Chicoma and Despaigne to tie at 22, then 23, and went on to force a fifth set with a kill from Edgar Vértiz and a Cuban error.  Peru started the tie-break ahead 4-1, and although Cuba tied at points 9, 10, and 11, Peru always stayed in front, closing the match with an ace from Despaigne. 

PERU PLAYERS

Diego Recavarren, Head coach of Peru:  “We didn’t give up. We knew Cuba was a superior opponent, but when you play very closely, they make a lot of mistakes, and that was the key. The team is proving to be very tenacious despite the height limitations, but we have developed a compact game system, and that’s why we are in the final”.

Leonel Despaigne, captain of Peru: “We were thinking a lot about this match. Cuba is incredibly strong, and we were eager for revenge from last year against them (at least for me, as I played in the Cup in Cuba). I’m super happy. Beating Cuba is the ultimate. We played very organized, listened well, and we are very united and determined, we never give up on any ball”.

Dominican Republic and Costa Rica to Face Off for Fifth Place

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 20, 2024.- Dominican Republic defeated Saint Vincent 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-8) and will face Costa Rica on Saturday for fifth place in the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname. 

Dominican Republic and Costa Rica played in the preliminary round, with the Dominican team winning in four sets. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will compete for the 7th/8th position against Suriname. 

Dominican Republic

The Dominican team secured the victory in 48 minutes, with a huge advantage in attacks (44-16), a slight edge in blocking (7-6), and scoring more service points (4-0), while benefiting from Saint Vincents’ 20 errors compared to their own 7. 

The top scorer was Dominican Adrian Figueroa with 15 points (14 attacks, one block). Moisés Ortiz and Ronny Molina contributed to the win with 9 and 8 points, respectively. 

Shadron Delpesche led Saint Vincent with 10 points (8 attacks, 2 blocks). 

Luther Rosario, captain of the Dominican Republic: “It’s very difficult to play a match for this position; it’s a mental challenge after losing an important game. The team’s morale is a bit low. We need to stay strong, as this is part of the sport, and we must know how to get back up because we are representing a country”. Philroy Nero, libero of St. Vincent: “The focus of our team was not here today. Our team needed to focus on passing, hitting and keeping our fire on. Dominican Republic played very well”.

Philroy Nero, libero of St. Vincent: “The focus of our team was not here today. Our team needed to focus on passing, hitting and keeping our fire on. Dominican Republic played very well”.

Costa Rica will aim for 5th place after dramatic five-set Win against Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 20, 2024. – Costa Rica defeated the host Suriname in a dramatic game 3-2 (25-17, 25-27, 25-22, 29-31, 20-18) to advance to the match for fifth place at the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo.

Costa Rica will play the fifth-place match on Saturday against the winner between Saint Vincent and the Dominican Republic; Suriname will face the loser for positions 7/8.

COSTA RICA WIN’S AGAINST SURINAME

In a match that lasted over two hours (2:24), with the tie-break nearly resembling a regular set, Costa Rica claimed victory by leading in attacks (74-67) and committing fewer errors (24-34). Suriname held the advantage in blocking (15-12) and serving (9-4).

Five Costa Rican players scored in double digits, with standout performances from middle blocker Luis Eduardo Solano and outside hitter Harold Rodríguez, who scored 24 and 20 points, respectively.

The top scorer of the match was Suriname’s Lee A Leong with 28 points, supported by Carlo Huisden (17), Gianni Ritfeld (15), and Shemar Jameson (14).

SOLANO SCORES FOR COSTA RICA

Costa Rica started strong, winning the first set while always staying ahead on the score, with four players leading the attack. The second set saw several ties, until Gianni Ritfeld and Lee A Leong pressed to level the match 1-1, with Ritfeld scoring the set-winning block. Costa Rica and Suriname were tied up to 21 points in the third set, but Costa Rica won despite Suriname leading the attack (14-9). After two consecutive errors by Costa Rica near the end, Harold Rodríguez sealed the set with a kill. In a dramatic fourth-set finish, Suriname lost a set point (24-23) after a powerful attack from Costa Rica’s Juan Delgado. Costa Rica then missed a match point after a kill from Lee A Leong, and Suriname forced a fifth set by scoring two consecutive points to close it out 31-29. In the fifth set, both teams traded leads, extending the set to nearly a regular one, but Costa Rica clinched the win with a final kill from Rodríguez.

Luis Eduardo Solano, top scorer of Costa Rica: “It was a tough match. Both teams got carried away emotionally; at times one team was ahead, and then the other would take the lead, switching roles throughout the game. Thankfully, we were able to pull through and now we’re aiming for fifth place, which is a good position for a new team like ours in tournaments of this level”.

Lee A Leong, top scorer of Suriname: “We had a good game. We need to finish the sets. We all committed a series of errors. We played a good game, and we showed that we can compete with these teams. We must work to improve more”.

Mexico Captures last Semifinal Spot

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 19, 2024. – Mexico captured the last spot in the semifinals of the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup after defeating host Suriname 3-0 (25-19, 25-10, 25-23) at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo.

Mexico will face Guatemala on Friday at 8:00 p.m. in the second semifinal; the first one will be at 5:00 p.m. between Cuba and Peru. Suriname will play a classification match for positions 5 to 8, starting against Costa Rica at 11:00 a.m.

Mexico and Guatemala secured their berths in the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025 as the two best-ranked non-qualified NORCECA teams in the event. Cuba and the Dominican Republic earned their qualification in last year’s U23 Cup.

Mexico outperformed Suriname with a 44-23 advantage in attacks, 8-3 in blocks, and 4-1 in aces. Suriname made fewer errors (19-25).

AGUIRRE SCORES FOR MEXICO

Oziel Aguirre and Lorenzo Martínez each scored 12 points for Mexico, while Meson Anakaba scored 10 for Suriname.

The first set was very close, with Shemar Jameson leading Suriname, supported by Lee A Leong, both spearheading the attack. Mexico won the first set by pulling ahead mid set, gaining a comfortable five-point lead (19-14) with the push from Juan García, Lorenzo Martínez, and Franky Hernández. Mexico took the second set without complications, with Oziel Aguirre joining the offense and Alexis Alvarado scoring the final point with an ace. In the third set, Suriname led 15-13 with Meson Anakaba at the front, alongside Sandel Revelino and Carlo Huisden. Mexico ended Suriname’s good streak, tying at 21 points and then going up 22-21 thanks to an attack from Anakaba, followed by an attack from Aguirre. Mexico closed the match with a kill from Isay Toy, despite losing one match point on a kill from Huisden.

Renato Soares, Head coach of Mexico: “It was a match with many ups and downs. I always tell the players that we must maintain a high level of play. We can’t play this way because we suffer. In the match before ours, the Dominican Republic struggled against Peru and ended up losing. Our goal was to qualify for the Junior Pan American Games, and we’ve achieved that. Now, we are going to aim for the final. We have a tough semifinal against Guatemala, and we will prepare well”.

Meson Anakaba, top scorer of Suriname: “We gave our all in the last set, but at the end our mistakes cost us the set which we led most of the time. We have to work on limiting our errors to reach another level of play. I am a bit disappointed, but personally I tried my best”.

Peru Defeat Dominican Republic in Thriller to Reach Semifinals

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 19, 2024.- Peru defeated Dominican Republic in a five set thriller 3-2 (19-25, 27-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13), to advance to the semifinals of the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname. 

The match was a rollercoaster, a point-for-point battle where Peru held an advantage in attacks (74-71), while the Dominican Republic led in blocks (12-11) and serves (4-1). Peru committed 23 errors, while the Dominican Republic had 22. 

LEONEL DESPAIGNE (PERU)

Peru’s captain, Leonel Despaigne, led his team with 27 points (26 attacks, one block). Outside hitter Gerardo Chicoma scored 24 points (20 attacks, 3 blocks, one ace), and Piero Porras added 17 points (16 attacks, one block). 

Dominican opposite Adrián Figueroa led all scorers with 29 points (28 attacks, one block). Ronny Molina contributed 25 points (23 attacks, 2 blocks), and Edward Rojas added 14 points (12 attacks, one block, one ace). 

PERU PLAYERS FIGHTING FOR THE BALL

The Dominican Republic overcame a four-point deficit (2-6) at the start of the first set, with both teams tied several times until the Dominican side took control through a block by Moisés Ortiz and a kill from Adrián Figueroa. Peru gained a five-point lead (14-9) thanks to the offense of Gerardo Chicoma and Piero Porras. However, the South Americans couldn’t hold the advantage, as the Dominican Republic rallied to tie the set at 22, with Figueroa leading the way and Ronny Molina joining in. Peru finally tied the match by winning the second set in overtime with two attacks from Leonel Despaigne. The Dominican Republic never trailed in the third set, though Peru stayed close throughout. It was a duel of attacks between the Dominicans Molina and Edward Rojas, and Peru’s Despaigne and Chicoma, with the set ultimately going to the Dominican Republic after Molina scored on a kill. Peru quickly took the lead in the fourth set (7-1), thanks to a strong performance by Luis Ñiquen, and extended the advantage with Chicoma’s help, forcing a tie-break.  The fifth set was fast-paced play, with the teams tying at 13 points. A Dominican error and an attack from Leonel Despaigne secured the victory for Peru. 

Diego Recavarren, Head coach of Peru:   “Aggressiveness was crucial. We entered the match with the mindset that we were on the same level as them. Serving, attacking aggressively, and counterattack speed were key. We have a very strong, fast, and smart setter. We fought for every ball”.

Gerardo Chicoma, outside hitter of Puer: “We had a very good attitude. We entered the game knowing what we needed to do. Given the opponent’s height, we had to play intelligently rather than relying on strength, and that was evident on the court. We knew how to work as a team and defend well to achieve victory”.

Distinguished Referees for the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup in Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 19, 2024. – The U23 Men’s Pan American Cup, taking place from September 16 to 22 in Paramaribo, Suriname, not only showcases the talent of the region’s young players but also a select group of international referees entrusted with officiating at this event, which serves as a qualifier for the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025.

Among the appointed referees, two women stand out, underscoring the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation’s (NORCECA) commitment to gender equity in sports. Cinthya Hernández of Costa Rica and Chantal Karsters of Suriname are leading this effort.

REFEREES

The complete list of referees includes: 

Cinthya Hernández from Costa Rica, Chantal Karsters from Suriname, Ricardo Borroto from Cuba, Nestor Mateo from the Dominican Republic, Raúl Mejía from Guatemala, Randy Sánchez from Mexico, Herberth González from Peru, and Brian Charles from Trinidad and Tobago (representing Saint Vincent and the Grenadines).

The referees are under the supervision of Referee Coaches Jorge Isaac Villalobos from Costa Rica and Cheryll Rogers from Curaçao, who ensure the proper execution of refereeing decisions throughout the tournament.

This diverse group of officials guarantees the quality and professionalism of the refereeing in a competition that brings together teams from Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the host nation, Suriname.

Peru Takes Second Place in Pool B

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 18, 2024. – Peru took second place in Pool B after a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-17) victory over host Suriname in the Under 23 Men’s Pan American Cup, at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo.

Peru ended pool-play with 2-1 record and Suriname finished 1-2. In Thursday’s quarterfinals, Peru will face the Dominican Republic (5:00 pm) and Suriname will take on Mexico (8:00 pm).

Peru dominated every skill of the game: attacks (43-25), blocks (7-5), and serves (8-2), though they committed more errors (19-17).

PERU CELEBRATING WIN AGAINST HOST SURINAME

Three players from Peru scored in double digits: Gerardo Chicoma (17), Piero Porras (15), and Leonel Despaigne (11).

On Suriname’s side, Lee A Leong scored 15 points.

The first set was tied at 5 points before Peru took control without difficulties. In the second set, despite Suriname’s efforts through Lee A Leong, Peru once again dominated the play. The third set was tightly contested, with both teams tied early on, but Peru applied pressure with strong blocking from Piero Porras and serves from Luis Ñiquen and Adrian Gushiken to secure the victory in three sets.

POINT FOR SURINAME

Diego Recavarren, Head coach of Peru: “The host team has improved a lot in their level; it was a tough game, but fortunately, my team stayed focused on what they needed to do, including committing few errors and being aggressive with serves and blocking. I think we accomplished that. Now we face the Dominican Republic, a strong and tall team. We are going to play well and counterattack their best attackers to show the progress that men’s volleyball in our country has made”.

Carlos Orta Fellove, Head coach of Suriname: “From the beginning, I knew today’s game against Peru and yesterday’s game against Guatemala would be difficult. We did everything we could, all the efforts, all the necessary changes to win, but it was tough. The boys gave it their all and reached the peak of their performance”.

Cuba defeats Mexico in Four Sets to Advance to Semifinals

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 18, 2024. – Cuba defeated Mexico 3-1 (20-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14) to secure a direct spot in Saturday’s semifinals of the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup, being held at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Cuba earned their direct pass to the semifinals as Pool A winners with a 3-0 record. Mexico (2-1) will play in the quarterfinals on Friday against  third place from Pool B (Suriname or Peru).

Cuba outperformed in attacks (41-33), while Mexico led in serves (10-7). Both teams scored 9 blocking points. Cuba capitalized on 27 errors by Mexico, while committing 38 of their own.

CELEBRATING TIME

Middle blocker Thiago Suárez once again led Cuba and was the top scorer of the match with 24 points (18 attacks, a match-high 5 blocks, and one ace). Outside hitter Bryan Camino collected 14 points (12 attacks, one block, and one ace).

Outside hitter Isay Toy led Mexico with 15 points (14 attacks and one block), followed by Franky Hernández, who also scored 15 points (8 attacks, 2 blocks, and a match-high of 5 aces).

The teams traded leads throughout the first set, with Mexico pulling ahead from point 20, scoring six consecutive points with the offense of Alejandro Adame and Isay Toy, as well as the blocking from Diego Ruiz, to take a 1-0 lead. Cuba jumped to a four-point advantage (10-6) in the second set with Thiago Suárez and Carlos Pereira leading the way, but Mexico managed to tie the score on numerous occasions starting from point 12. Cuba evened the match by taking the second set with a 12-9 advantage in attacks, where Yonni Iglesias also contributed. Thiago and Camino dominated Cuba’s attack to recover from a five-point deficit (9-14) and put Cuba ahead two sets to one. With a seven-point lead (15-8), Cuba paved the way to victory with a commanding advantage, and opposite Daniel Martínez sealed the win with a kill.

MARTINEZ ATTACK’S FOR MEXICO

Jesús Ángel Cruz, Head coach of Cuba:  “Mexico always comes to fight in this category; they are fighters, just like us. In the first set, their serving worked really well, especially No. 48 (Milatony), who caused us a lot of trouble in that rotation with his serve. After that, we made the necessary adjustments to control that serve. Our attack worked perfectly in the last set”.

José Alejandro Adame, setter of Mexico:  “We had a good first set. There was a lot of distraction afterward. I think we will meet Cuba again in the tournament final. Cuba’s blocking caused us a lot of damage, along with the powerful attack. We need to make several adjustments”.

Guatemala Makes it to Semifinals Winning Pool B

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 18, 2024.- Guatemala made it to the semifinals of the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup being held at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo after winning Pool Be.

Guatemala defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-17) in their last match of pool-play. Guatemala closed with a 3-0 record. St. Vincent (0-3) will compete for positions 5 to 8.

ZAVALA SPIKE

Guatemala was superior in kills  (37-16) and in service aces  (5-2). Guatemala scored on 28 opponent errors and gave away 17.  

Yeferson Zavala of Guatemala was the only player with double digits scoring 12 points on 11 kills and one block. Also contributing to the win were Roberto Recinos with 9 points and Christian Alvarez with 8.

The best scorer for St. Vincent was Damari Frederick with 7 points.  

Guatemala controlled the game from start to finish, using all its players.

PEREIRA SPIKE (SV)

Reider Lucas Mora, Head coach of Guatemala: “Our goal was to win the pool. Against Peru we expected an even match, and we were able to get the result. The Suriname players were the hosts, and they have athletes with great potential, they didn’t make it easy, I was satisfied. And today, we were aiming for 3-0, we accomplished it. We advance to semifinals, and we want to enjoy them, playing the best we can”.

Daryl Franklyn, Head coach of St. Vincent: “I don’t think the guys played today at their full potential. As I said before, coming into the competition we lost a lot of players, so the chemistry amongst the guys was really bad. I think they could have done much better. Hopefully the guys can pull it together for our next matches and we can play for a higher position in the competition”.

Dominican Republic Move into Quarterfinals with Win over Costa Rica

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 18, 2024. – Dominican Republic advanced to the quarterfinals of the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup with a 3-1 (25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22) victory over Costa Rica at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The Dominican Republic (1-2) finished third in Pool A and will face the second-place team from Pool B (yet to be determined) in Thursday’s quarterfinal round. Costa Rica (0-3) will compete in the matches for positions 5 to 8.

TOUGH ACTION AT THE NET

The Dominican Republic led in attacks (59-45) and blocks (14-6). Both teams scored 5 direct points from serves. The Dominican Republic gave away 29 points on errors, while Costa Rica committed 20 errors.

Dominican opposite Adrián Figueroa led all scorers with 29 points (28 attacks, one block), followed by outside hitters Rony Molina and Edward Rojas with 16 and 13 points respectively. Cristofer Andujar had a match-high of 5 blocks.

Costa Rican middle blockers Luis Eduardo Solano and Jeremy Vanega led their team with 11 points each.

The Dominican Republic opened the match with a comfortable four-point lead (13-9), applying pressure with serves and attacks from Adrián Figueroa and Ronny Molina, and never trailed. Luis Solano and Franco Molina helped Costa Rica gain a five-point advantage (7-2) at the start of the second set, but the Dominicans tied it at eight points. From there, the score remained close until it was tied at 20 points. With three Costa Rican errors and a point from Molina, the Dominican Republic secured the second set. Costa Rica started the third set strong, building an eight-point lead (12-4) with offensive help from Diego Delgado and Jeremy Vanega. Costa Rica stayed ahead but gave up four set points on Cristofer Andujar blocking, attacks from Figueroa, and their own errors before forcing a fourth set. The fourth set was tied at 21 points; with three attacks, a serve, and an error, the Dominican Republic won.

DOM CAPTAIN FIGUEROA MAD AT HIMSELF

Eliander Jiménez, libero for the Dominican Republic: “After winning two sets, we lost focus and got overconfident. I think we underestimated Costa Rica, but they showed the opposite. Costa Rica played better than us in the third set. We adjusted our reception in the fourth set, the outside hitters woke up since only the opposite was attacking, and I improved in defense. We played with more harmony to get the result”.

Anderson Barboza, libero for Costa Rica: “I feel that we always supported each other on the court. We had several errors in reception, which I think caused us to lose today. We will work on that aspect to get the results we expect. Despite the outcome, we did well”.

Guatemala Undefeated with Victory against Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 17, 2024. – Guatemala remains undefeated in the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup after securing a 3-1 (25-20, 25-18, 21-25, 25-23) victory over host Suriname at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo.

Guatemala holds a 2-0 record in Pool B, guaranteeing their spot in the next round. A win against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (0-2) on Wednesday will secure them a direct ticket to the semifinals as group leaders. Suriname and Peru, both with a 1-1 record, will face off to determine the final standings.

2ND WIN GUATEMALA

Guatemala’s advantage in attack (51-47) and fewer errors (22-34) were enough to overcome Suriname, who dominated in blocking (11-9) and serving (6-2).

Yeferson Zavala led Guatemala with 18 points from attacks, followed by Roberto Recinos with 16 points.

Suriname’s Jameson Shemar led all scorers with 24 points, including a match-high of 4 blocks. Lee A Leong contributed 15 points for Suriname.

JOSE SAMAYA SCORES FOR GUATEMALA

Guatemala won the first set coming from behind (12-17) following Suriname errors. Jerry Duran pushed the Central Americans forward, supported by Yeferson Zavala and Christian Álvarez. Guatemala remained solid, overpowering Suriname in the second set with blocks from José Samayoa and Daniel Ralón, despite struggling with serves from Lee A Leong and Jameson Shemar. Suriname took a three-point lead in the third set (12-9) thanks to Jameson’s blocks, but the teams tied at 13. Suriname gained a four-point advantage (18-14) with powerful attacks from Lee A Leong, giving them the confidence to force a fourth set. Guatemala reached a five-point lead (17-12) with offensive plays from Pablo Pérez and blocks from Ralón and Samayoa. Suriname’s errors benefited Guatemala, but they closed the gap (20-21) with points from Jameson. Guatemala celebrated the win with a kill from Zavala, though not before losing two match points due to errors.

Yeferson Zavala, Guatemala’s captain: “I think our attitude today was a bit lower compared to yesterday. We started the match very well but lost some energy as Suriname played better and put more pressure on us. Tomorrow, we face Saint Vincent, and we hope to play well from the start and win our pool”.

Duncan Hiwat, setter of Suriname: “It was a dramatic finish. I came off the bench in the second  set and the teams’ performance stabilized, we played better and really excited. I am happy that the team played well, we gave our best even if we lost”.

Cuba Bounce Back to Win a Tie-break over Dominican Republic

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 17, 2024. – Cuba came back from a two-set deficit to defeat the Dominican Republic 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, 15-13) in the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup on Tuesday at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Cuba and Mexico, both with a 2-0 record, will face each other on Wednesday for first place in Pool A and a direct pass to the semifinals. The Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, with 0-2 records, will play for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Cuba led in attacks (69-52) and service points (7-2), while the Dominican Republic dominated in blocks (12-8). Cuba committed 35 errors compared to 24 from the Dominican Republic.

CUBA

Cuba’s middle blocker Thiago Suarez led the team with 24 points (21 attacks, 2 blocks, one  ace). Outside hitter Bryan Camino contributed 23 points (22 attacks, one ace) to the win. Outside hitter Carlos Pereira scored 13 points, and middle blocker Alexis Wilson added 11, including a match-high of 5 blocks.

The  top scorer of the game was Dominican opposite Adrián Figueroa with 26 points, all from attacks. Outside hitter Ronny Molina added 16 points for the Dominican team.

After a close score, the Dominican Republic pulled ahead with a six-point lead (15-9) thanks to the offensive efforts of Adrián Figueroa and Ronny Molina, maintaining the lead until closing the set with a serve by Molina. From point 11 of the second set, the Dominican Republic kept the advantage until the end. Cuba, with Bryan Camino and Thiago Suárez, applied pressure, but their errors, combined with the effectiveness of Dominican Figueroa, couldn’t prevent the Dominican Republic from winning the second set. The Dominicans took advantage of Cuba’s mistakes in the third set, holding the lead until Cuba recovered from a three-point deficit (11-14) with scores from Alexis Wilson and Thiago to tie it. With an attack from Camino, along with a Dominican error, they forced a fourth set. Cuba capitalized on their momentum and quickly jumped to a wide 12-4 lead, driven by Yonni Iglesias and Thiago’s attacks and Alexis Wilson’s blocks, never falling behind and extending the match to a tie-break. Cuba won the fifth set with an advantage in attacks (9-5) and by capitalizing on six Dominican errors.

RECEIVE DOM

Thiago Suarez, Cuba’s top scorer: “We didn’t have the necessary focus in the first two sets; we were too excited. We calmed down to win the next three sets. We stayed calm, added points, and had patience. Tomorrow, we will fight for first place in the group against Mexico, and we hope to get the win”.

José Gutiérrez, Head coach of the Dominican Republic: “For us, it’s about gaining experience; we are already qualified for Asunción 2025. We lost, but while playing well. The boys lack game volume, and this inconsistency (playing two sets very well, then two sets poorly) is due to a lack of matches. If the Dominican Republic doesn’t build a league that allows them to play, it’s going to be difficult for us. We need to be patient and keep working”.

Peru improves record 1-1 in Pool B at U23 Men’s Pan Am Cup

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 17, 2024. – Peru improved their record (1-1) in Pool B after defeating St. Vincent 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-15) in the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup being held at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

Peru (1-1) will close pool-play on Wednesday against Suriname, and St. Vincent (0-2) will face Guatemala.

FREDERICK DAMARI

Peru delivered a convincing victory over St. Vincent, dominating in attacks (46-17) and service points (8-1), while St. Vincent led in blocks (8-4) and committed one fewer error (17-18).

Leonel Despaigne, Peru’s captain, was the top scorer with 17 points (16 attacks, one ace), and Piero Porras added 10 points.

St. Vincent’s middle blocker Shadron Delpesche scored 10 points, including a match-high of 5 blocks.

Peru was able to use all their players in a match that lasted less than an hour (0:57).

PORRAS BALCARAZ

Piero Porras, Peru’s outside hitter: “Our coach made quite a few changes so that everyone could get on the court and find their rhythm for the upcoming matches. Today we were able to control the game as the opponent gave us the opportunities to do so. We did what we know how to do. We’re ready to face Suriname, and what we need is to control the ball because that’s how we will control the game”.

John Jaimion, captain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: “We got off to a rough start and we couldn’t get our foot in. Passing was one of our main issues today and we hope with some training sessions we can improve for the following games”.

First AFECAVOL U17 Central American Girls’ Championship 

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, September 17, 2024.- From September 24 to 28, the city of Managua will host the First Edition of the U17 Central American Girls’ Championship, organized by the Association of Central American Volleyball Federations (AFECAVOL). 

This event marks a milestone in the development of women’s volleyball in the region and responds to a joint initiative of Central American nations to align their youth categories with international standards. 

 Six countries will compete in this first edition: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. All of them aim to foster young talent, provide international experience, and prepare new generations of players for future continental and international competitions. 

The Volleyball Gymnasium of the Sports Institute (IND) in Managua will be the official competition hall for the tournament, which has been prepared to welcome the six participating teams, highlighting AFECAVOL’s commitment to the development of volleyball at the regional level. 

Teams will go through the preliminary interview on Monday the 23rd, and the competition will kick off on Tuesday the 24th, with three daily matches broadcast live NicaSports en YouTube.

AFECAVOL I CAMPEONATO CENTROAMERICANO SUB17 FEMENINO

Competition Schedule

September 24

1:30 pm              Costa Rica vs Belize

4:00 pm              Guatemala vs Honduras

6:30 pm              Nicaragua vs El Salvador

September 25

1:30 pm              Belize vs Guatemala

4:00 pm              Costa Rica vs El Salvador

6:30 pm              Nicaragua vs Honduras

September 26

1:30 pm              Costa Rica vs Guatemala

4:00 pm              El Salvador vs Honduras

6:30 pm              Belize vs Nicaragua

September 27

1:30 pm              Guatemala vs El Salvador

4:00 pm              Belize vs Honduras

6:30 pm              Costa Rica vs Nicaragua

September 28

1:30 pm              Belize vs El Salvador

4:00 pm              Costa Rica vs Honduras

6:30 pm              Nicaragua vs Guatemala

Mexico Beats Costa Rica in Second Tournament Win

PARAMARIBO, Mexico, September 17, 2024.- Mexico beat Costa Rica 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-21) in its second win in Pool A of the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup, taking place at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

With two victories in Pool A, Mexico (2-0) is assured of advancing to the next round, but it remains to be seen whether they will go directly to the semifinals or compete in the quarterfinals after facing Cuba on Wednesday. Costa Rica (0-2) will play against the Dominican Republic in their final group stage match.

MEXICO BLOCK

Mexico and Costa Rica are vying for one of the two spots available for NORCECA teams at the II Pan American Junior Games Asunción 2025.

After a tough first set, Mexico secured the win with an advantage of 41-31 in kills, 9-4 in blocks, and 9-2 in serves, but Costa Rica benefited from 27 unforced errors compared to 18.

Jared Toy led Mexico with 11 points (8 attacks, 2 blocks, one ace). Oziel Aguirre scored 10 points (5 attacks, including a match-high of 5 direct serve points). Juan García also contributed 10 points (5 attacks, a match-high of 4 blocks, 1 ace).

For Costa Rica, Jeremy Vanega and Dennis Jenher each scored 9 points.

MARTINEZ OCHOA ATTACK’S FOR MEXICO AGAINST COSTA RICA

Costa Rica started strong, reaching a five-point lead (11-6) with powerful kills from Dennis Jenher and Jeremy Vanega, but Mexico quickly recovered with Oziel Aguirre’s attacks and Jared Toy’s blocks. The set remained very close, with Mexico finally closing it out in extra time. In the second set, Aguirre maintained his serve to help Mexico hold a comfortable lead over Costa Rica and stay in control of the match. In the third set, the teams tied several times until reaching 20 points, when Mexico pulled ahead with consecutive points from Franky Hernández.

Jared Toy, Mexico’s top scorer: “We started a bit slow, which is something we’ve been struggling with as a team. Costa Rica gave us a good scare. We managed to get into rhythm and come through. Tomorrow, we close against Cuba, and we expect it to be a great match, good for both teams”.

Jeremy Vanega, Costa Rica’s top scorer: “We lost control in the first set because we started making errors and gradually lowered our level of play. From there, we lost focus and Mexico’s pressure increased. This is another experience; we learn from each game and regardless of the outcome, we’re happy to be growing”.

Suriname Swept St. Vincent in their Opening Match

PARAMARIBO, Mexico, September 16, 2024. – Suriname swept Saint Vincent (25-18, 25-16, 25-20) in their first match of the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, which began on Monday at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The Men’s U23 Pan American Cup is being held from September 16 to 22 and offers two berths for NORCECA teams not yet qualified for the 2025 Asunción Junior Pan American Games. 

Located in Pool B, Suriname (1-0) will face Guatemala (1-0) on Tuesday, and Saint Vincent (0-1) will take on Peru (0-1). 

MESON ANAKABA ATTACKING FOR SURINAME

The host country controlled Saint Vincent with advantages in attacks (36-22), serves (5-4), and committed fewer errors (21-29). Saint Vincent was superior in blocks (7-5). 

Suriname’s opposite hitter, Meson Anakaba, led all scorers with 13 points (11 attacks, 2 aces). Contributing to the win with seven points each were outside hitter Anfernee Lee and middle blocker Faiq Lobo. 

For Saint Vincent, setter Damari Frederick and middle blocker Shadron Delpesche scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

Suriname dominated the first set with attacks from Meson Anakaba, Anfernee Lee, and Faiq Lobo. In the second set, the host country jumped to a comfortable five-point lead (10-5) thanks to the offense of Shemar Jameson and Carlo Huisden; for Saint Vincent, Damari Frederick emerged as the set’s top scorer. Saint Vincent had momentum in the third set, recovering from a six-point deficit (17-23) to close in at (20-23) with effective blocks from Kyle Liverpool and several errors by Suriname, who eventually celebrated their first victory with a match point attack from Jonovan Wijngaarde.

SAINT VINCENT ATTACK

Siryan Meijer, captain of Suriname: “It was a good beginning for us. I think we didn’t make as many errors as St. Vincent. We were more consistent than them and we played cleaner volleyball, they were kind of messy on their side. In the third set St. Vincent tried to lift, but we came back as a team, we talked in the time-out, and we were determined to go for it”.

John Jaimion, captain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: “It took us a while to get started, we had a good third set, we got a little momentum going because we needed time adjusting. We will improve with the upcoming games. Tomorrow, we face Peru, we saw them today and they are a bit intimidating, but I think with today’s experience we will be able to formulate something for them”.

Mexico opens with a victory over the Dominican Republic

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 16, 2024.- Mexico began its U23 Men’s Pan American Cup campaign with a 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22) victory over the Dominican Republic at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname. 

Mexico is aiming for one of the two available spots for NORCECA teams in the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025. The Dominican Republic is already qualified. 

On the second day of the event in Pool A, Mexico (1-0) will face Costa Rica (0-1), and the Dominican Republic (0-1) will play Cuba (1-0). 

MEXICO

Mexico capitalized on 38 Dominican errors, compared to their 18. Mexico led in all aspects of the game: attacks (66-47), blocks (9-5), and serves (9-1). 

Mexico’s outside hitter Isaías Aguirre and Dominican opposite Adrian Figueroa led all scorers with 23 points each. 

Aguirre scored on18 attacks, one block, and a match-high of 4 aces. Mexico’s captain, Franky Hernández, added 21 points in the win (17 attacks, one block, 3 aces). Middle blocker Diego Ruiz contributed 16 points (9 attacks, a match-high of 6 blocks, and one ace). Opposite Lorenzo Martínez finished with 15 points. 

Alongside Adrian Figueroa, middle blocker Moisés Ortiz scored 12 points for the Dominican Republic. 

DOM VS MEX

Mexico’s serving (4-0) and blocking (3-1) were key, with points from Franky Hernández and Isaías Aguirre, helping them take the first set after tying at 18 points. From the 11th point onward, the Dominican Republic led in the second set, tying the match by taking advantage of Mexico’s errors, with the offense led by Moisés Ortiz and Adrian Figueroa. Mexico led the third set from point 15, closing it out with a kill by Juan García and a Dominican error, winning by four points. The fourth set was close, but Lorenzo Martínez joined Mexico’s offense to overpower the Dominicans. 

Franky Hernández, captain of Mexico: “This is the first game we’ve played at this level. We are a completely new team, with some players in new positions, but we managed to get a good result. The Dominican Republic is a formidable team. Our spirit, our unity, we are like a family, and that makes the team always resonate”.

Luther Rosario, captain of the Dominican Republic: “We had problems with our reception, and that didn’t allow us to play our game. We also need to adjust our blocking a bit more. We will keep working hard because we didn’t show everything we have today”.

Guatemala Kicks Off  the U23 Pan American Cup with a 5-Set Thriller over Peru

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 16, 2024. – Guatemala kicked off the U23 Men’s Pan American Cup with a thrilling five-set victory 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 24-26, 15-11) over Peru at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname. 

The U23 Pan American Cup grants two spots to NORCECA (non-qualified) teams for the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción 2025. 

On the second day of competition in Pool B, Peru (0-1) will face Saint Vincent, and Guatemala (1-0) will play against the host, Suriname.

GUATEMALA WINS

Guatemala recovered from losing the first set, overcoming Peru with a comfortable lead in blocks (13-6) and aces (3-1). Peru had the advantage in attacks, 75-65. Guatemala conceded fewer points on unforced errors, 24-30. 

Five Guatemalan players scored in double digits, led by Pablo Pérez (27, including a match-high of 5 blocks), Yeferson Zavala (15), José Samayoa (12), Roberto Recinos (11), and Christian Alvarez (11). 

The top scorer of the match was Peru’s Leonel Despaigne with 34 points, all on kills. Piero Porras contributed 11 points for Peru. 

Leonel Despaigne and Piero Porras helped Peru build a four-point lead (15-11) in the first set and go up 1-0, despite two attacks by Guatemala’s José Samayoa stealing two set points. Gerardo Chicoma joined Peru’s offense, but Guatemala, with Pablo Pérez and Yeferson Zavala, tied the score at 16 points in the second set and then jumped to a three-point lead (19-16) to even the match. Guatemala came from behind in the third set (6-10) to tie at 12 points and never trailed again, with Zavala leading the offense, along with efforts from Roberto Recinos and Christian Alvarez. 

PERU SETTER LA JARA DEL AGUILA IN ACTION

The teams traded leads in the fourth set, which Peru eventually won in overtime, 26-24, with two attack points from Vicente Plana and Despaigne. In the tiebreak, after tying at 10 points, Pérez put Guatemala ahead with two powerful attacks. Despaigne responded (11-12), but Guatemala secured the victory with three consecutive points: an attack from Alvarez, a block by Julián Carmona, and an opponent’s error. 

Yeferson Zavala, captain of Guatemala: “It was a very tough five-set match. I feel that what helped us was raising our spirits when our strength was running out. We were able to block their best attacker, who scored the most points (#6), and that also contributed to our victory”.

Leonel Despaigne, captain of Peru: “It was a very tough match. We didn’t know how to close at the end, which is when true players shine. We’re going to bounce back from this match, the competition is just starting, and there’s still a lot more to come from Peru. In the fourth set, we were very tenacious”. 

Men’s U23 Pan American Cup Opens with Cuba’s Victory Over Costa Rica

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 16, 2024.- The Men’s U23 Pan American Cup kicked off with Cuba’s 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-22) victory over Costa Rica at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The U23 Pan American Cup runs from September 16 -22 and offers two berths for non-qualified NORCECA teams for the 2025 Asunción II Junior Pan American Games.

CUBA CELEBRATING THE WIN AGAINST COSTA RICA

Cuba’s next opponent in Pool A is the Dominican Republic, while Costa Rica will face Mexico.

Cuba led in kills 46-29, in blocks 7-6, and in aces 6-1, but committed more unforced errors, 20-16.

Cuban outside hitter Bryan Camino led all scorers with 21 points (17 attacks, a match-high of 4 aces). Fellow outside hitter Yusniel González contributed 11 points (10 attacks, one block).

Costa Rican middle blocker Jeremy Venega led his team with 9 points (4 attacks, a match-high of 5 blocks).

VANEGA ROMERO COSTA RICA

Cuba quickly jumped to a 4-0 lead with a block from Jakdiel Contreras and capitalized on Costa Rica’s errors. In the second set, the Central Americans performed better, taking advantage of Cuba’s mistakes as Cuba used a different lineup, pulling even at 20 points with a block from Jeremy Venega and Harold Rodriguez, along with a kill from Franco Molina. Daniel Martinez and Bryan Camino closed the set for Cuba. Costa Rica surprised in the third set, taking a 4-0 lead and holding the lead throughout the set until Cuba recovered from a five-point deficit and climbed up to a 25-22 finish with a 16-12 margin in kills.

Ronaldo Flaquet, captain of Cuba: “We got overconfident. This match helped us shake off the rust. We knew how to come back from a big deficit in the third set; we are an experienced team and knew how to resolve it. Starting with a win is good for the team”.

Andru Jones, captain of Costa Rica: “This was clearly a difficult match, against a worthy opponent. I feel we started getting into rhythm, this is a process, and each set was better than the previous one. We hope to keep improving in the coming matches, reach a good performance, and aim for a medal”.

Teams are Ready to Begin the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup in Suriname 

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 15, 2024.- The teams are ready to begin the Men’s U23 Pan American Cup from September 16 to 22 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The event grants two berths for NORCECA teams (not already qualified) to the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay.

Jesús Cruz López, Head Coach of Cuba: “Cuba’s expectation is always to be in the tournament final. Last year, we won the competition in Havana, and we qualified for the Junior Pan American Games. The team is in good shape; many players competed this year at the Men’s Senior Pan American Cup in the Dominican Republic, which served as a preparatory tournament to get us ready for this event, with a clear objective in mind”.

Cuba

César Salas, Head Coach of Costa Rica: “This is a team that is still being built. We want to present a new image of the U23 national team, which is part of the senior team. We aim to fight for the chance to qualify for Asunción. We are going to revisit game ideas, systems, and more, and this is a great opportunity to evaluate the group. I know there are more players who could be here, but we are going to work hard with the twelve that are here. The hope is there, and we will fight to make a good representation for Costa Rica and the region.”

Costa Rica

Reider Lucas Mora, Head Coach of Guatemala: “This is a very interesting and important tournament for the region because it grants two more spots for the Junior Pan American Games. We are aiming to secure one of those two spots, which is our main objective, in addition to other goals set for the players and the team”.

Guatemala

Dante Mañon, Assistant Coach of Dominican Republic: “At the recent Final Six event held in Canada, we went with this team and with only two senior players to prepare for this competition. Our setter couldn’t come because his university didn’t give him permission, but otherwise, the team is complete. Since we’re already qualified for the Junior Pan American Games, we are here to keep the team playing, to improve, and to help the players continue progressing”.

Dominican Republic

Renato Soares, Head Coach of Mexico: “We are ready for the competition. Most of the team has been part of our senior team. We’ve been training for three months, and we are ready to start the competition well. The goal is to qualify for the Junior Pan American Games. We also want to win every match and the competition as well, but we want to be in next year’s Junior Pan American Games”.

Mexico

Sidney Mandros, Assistant Coach of Peru: “The team is young. We’ve been training since June with the entire team, training alongside the senior team to face this new challenge, with the projection of our athletes who will participate in the qualifying event for the U21 world championship”.

Peru

Daryl Franklyn, Head Coach of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: “Preparation for the competition was kind of rough for us, because a lot of our players had last minute injuries, so we had to switch out players and that made preparations extremely tough as we had to come up with different lineups in a very short space of time. I think the guys are prepared to do their best and we can only hope for the best”.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Carlos Orta Fellove, Head Coach of Suriname: “Suriname is a country that is just beginning to play volleyball at this level; we compete in CAZOVA and NORCECA, and now we are stepping up to a higher level. The team’s preparation has been good. We recognize that all the countries, except Saint Vincent (about whom we know little), have had international experience, and keeping that in mind, our goal is to try to win the first two games of our group. We know that afterward, we will face Peru, and we will battle against them to try to win the group and qualify for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games. Being at home, we hope our boys will play their best”.

Surinam

Men’s World Championship Draw Sets Stage For Exciting  Competition

September 14, 2024.- In a spectacular ceremony, held in Manila, the pools for the first phase of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines were drawn on Saturday.

32 teams drawn into eight pools for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines. Smart Arena Coliseum and SM Mo Arena in Manila announced as the two venues for next year’s event.

The 32 qualified teams were distributed into eight single round-robin pools of four:

Pool A: Philippines, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia

Pool B: Poland, Netherlands, Qatar, Romania

Pool C: France, Argentina, Finland, Korea

Pool DUSA, Cuba, Portugal, Colombia

Pool E: Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria, Chile

Pool F: Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Algeria

Pool G: Japan, Canada, Türkiye, Libya

Pool H: Brazil, Serbia, Czechia, China

The dazzling event at the Solaire Hotel in the Filipino capital was streamed on VBTV and the Volleyball World YouTube channel.

The top two teams in the final standings of each pool will advance to the knockout stage of the competition.

The World Championship host cities were also presented during the ceremony on Saturday. The tournament will be staged at two venues in Manila – the Smart Arena Coliseum and the SM Mo Arena – from 12 to 28 September 2025.

Men’s U23 Pan American Cup in Paramaribo, Suriname

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, September 11, 2024.- Eight national teams are headed to Paramaribo, Suriname, for the 2024 Men’s U23 Pan American Cup from September 16-21 at the Anthony Nesty Sporthal  .

Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic are in Pool A, Guatemala, Peru, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and host Suriname are in Pool B.

Two (2) direct tickets for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games will be granted to the top placed NORCECA teams in the final ranking of the event who are not yet qualified.

Cuba and Dominican Republic, first and second place of the 2023 edition of the U23 Pan American Cup, earned their berth to the Junior Pan American Games to take place in Asunción, Paraguay in 2025

Cuba has won the event in three occasions since its inception in 2012, winning over Mexico in 2014  and 2018, and over the Dominican Republic last year. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have one gold medal each.

Teams will play a round-robin preliminary round, qualifying the first and second places to the to the semifinals.

Preliminary Round Schedule

September 16

11:00am   Cuba vs Costa Rica

2:00pm     Peru vs Guatemala

5:00pm     Mexico vs Dominican Republic

8.00pm     Suriname vs St. Vincent

September 17

11:00am   Costa Rica vs Mexico

2:00pm     St. Vincent vs Peru

5:00pm     Cuba vs Dominican Republic

8.00pm     Suriname vs Guatemala

September 18

11:00am   Dominican Republic vs Costa Rica

2:00pm     Guatemala vs St. Vincent

5:00pm     Cuba vs Mexico

8.00pm     Suriname vs Peru

HISTORIC MEDALS MEN’S U23 PAN AMERICAN CUP

YEARGOLDSILVERBRONZE
2012BRAARGDOM
2014CUBMEXDOM
2016ARGCUBCHI
2018CUBMEXGUA
2021MEXPURDOM
2023CUBDOMPER

MEDAL COMPOSITION

COUNTRYGOLDSILVERBRONZETOTAL
CUB3104
MEX1203
ARG1102
BRA1001
DOM0134
PUR0101
CHI0011
GUA0011
PER0011

AFECAVOL Leading the Way in Innovation for Central American Volleyball

GUATEMALA, September 9, 2024.- The Central American Volleyball Association (AFECAVOL) has consistently positioned itself as a pioneering Zonal Association within NORCECA and the FIVB. With a strong commitment to the growth and modernization of the sport, AFECAVOL continues to introduce initiatives that enhance the game, support officials, and elevate the overall experience for players and fans alike.

IPAD

In a recent move underscoring its innovative approach, AFECAVOL provided new uniforms to referees during the inaugural Central American Men’s Final Four event held in Guatemala. AFECAVOL will be distributing these uniforms to more members of the regional officiating body in upcoming events.

This initiative, in addition to projecting a fresh and professional appearance for officials, also symbolizes the organization’s dedication to the highest standards of the sport. The new attire ensures that referees present a unified and modern image, reinforcing their role as key figures in the sport.

However, AFECAVOL’s innovations extend beyond uniforms. Recognizing the importance of clear and effective communication during matches, the organization has introduced the use of radios for referees. This enhancement is a significant step towards ensuring that officiating is as precise and coordinated as possible, especially during high-demand matches. With real-time communication now at their disposal, referees can manage games more efficiently, addressing issues promptly and ensuring a smooth flow of play.

Radio

Adding to these technological advancements, AFECAVOL has also implemented the use of iPads in the officiating process. This digital integration marks a substantial advance in how matches are managed, allowing referees to access critical information, review positions, and make more accurate decisions. The iPads serve as a tool for tracking statistics and other essential functions that are becoming increasingly important in modern volleyball.

These developments highlight AFECAVOL’s commitment and its Board of Directors’ determination to keep Central American volleyball at the forefront of the sport. By investing in the necessary tools and resources for high-quality officiating, AFECAVOL not only enhances the integrity of the game but also ensures that the region remains competitive on the international stage.

Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, and Costa Rica Qualify for Junior Pan Am Games

XALAPA, Mexico, September 8, 2024.– The qualification process for the Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the second Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, Paraguay 2025 has successfully concluded, with the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, and Costa Rica as the teams that will represent NORCECA.

The announcement was made by NORCECA President, Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz, during the closing ceremony of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup, which concluded on Sunday in Xalapa.

The four teams secured their berths in the continent’s most important youth sports event organized by Panam Sports, after completing the two-stage qualification process established by the NORCECA Confederation.

The first stage took place during the 2023 U23 Women’s Pan American Cup held in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, where the first two berths were awarded to the Dominican Republic and Mexico, who were the top-ranked NORCECA teams in the event.

The qualification process was completed today, with Cuba and Costa Rica, as the highest-ranked non-qualified NORCECA teams, securing the remaining two berths after the conclusion of the 2024 U23 Women’s Pan American Cup in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.

The path to qualification has been challenging, and the four teams have demonstrated their high level of play and determination in these two tournaments.

Now, with their sights set on Asunción 2025, these national teams will continue their preparation to achieve success on the Pan American stage.

Cuban Lisania Grafort Named Most Valuable Player at U23 Women’s Pan Am Cup

XALAPA, Mexico, September 8, 2024.- Cuban opposite hitter Lisania Grafort won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the 2024 U23 Women’s Pan American Cup, held from September 3 to 8 at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz.

Lisania Grafort received the honor during the closing ceremony after Cuba was crowned champion for the first time in the history of the U23 Pan American Cup since its inception in 2012, following their victory over the Dominican Republic, a team that had won all previous editions of the event.

Individual Awards

Also from Cuba, Yensy Kindelan was recognized as the Second Best Blocker.

Ailyn Liberato of the Dominican Republic, who earned a silver medal at the event, was awarded the Best Setter. Her teammate, Alondra Tapia, was named the Best Opposite.

From Mexico, which won the bronze medal, Marcela Herrera and Michelle Lizárraga were named Best Spiker and Second Best Spiker, respectively. Marcela Herrera also received a second award for Best Server.

From Chile, María Ignacia Nielsen was named Best Blocker, and Petra Schwartzman was the Best Scorer with 128 points.

The awards for Best Libero and Best Receiver went to Camila Arias of Costa Rica.

Brissa Nieves of Peru was recognized as the Best Digger.

The Women’s U23 Pan American Cup has a new Champion, Cuba

XALAPA, Mexico, September 8, 2024.- The Women’s U23 Pan American Cup has a new champion after Cuba’s victory in the gold medal match over the Dominican Republic 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20) at the Xalapa International Velodrome, Veracruz.

This is the first time in the history of the U23 Pan American Cup, since its inception in 2012, that a team other than the Dominican Republic has claimed the championship. In addition to this first gold medal, Cuba has won three bronze medals (2014, 2016, 2018).

Cuba dominated the match in attacks (55-42) and serves (8-4) but gave away more points on  errors (36-29). The Dominican Republic led in blocking (8-6).

CUBA

Opposite hitter Lisania Grafort led Cuba with 24 points. Outside hitter and captain Whitney James scored 15 points. Yensy Kindelan and Yalain De La Peña also contributed to the victory with 9 points each.

For the Dominican Republic, opposite hitter Alondra Tapia led all scorers with 25 points, while middle blocker Florangel Terrero added 11 points.

Cuba started strong, winning the first set after stealing a set point from the Dominican Republic with Lisania Grafort, followed by Yalain De La Peña sealing the set, both with kills. Cuba also benefited from 13 Dominican errors. The Dominican Republic tied the match after exchanging leads in the second set, pulling away at point 22, and closing with a block by Alondra Tapia and a kill in the middle with Florangel Terrero. In the third set, Cuba quickly jumped to a three-point lead, mostly through strong serving, with Grafort leading the way alongside Whitney James in the attack. Cuba didn’t allow the Dominican Republic to gain ground, despite their effective blocking in the fourth set.

Whitney James, Captain of Cuba: “We focused on our side, on our game, and not on what they were doing. We knew we could win the gold medal; it was our goal from the start of the event, and we knew we had the level. Our discipline today made the difference with the Dominican Republic”.

Leivis García, Coach of Cuba: “It was a cautious match. The Dominican Republic undoubtedly has a great history; their name carries weight, and they had players who competed in the Olympic Games, which commands respect. Our success came from tactical discipline; when we made mistakes, they grew, but when we maintained discipline, everything fell into place. We talked in the morning practice session that the game would depend on intelligence and strength.”

Mexico came out on top Chile for the Bronze Medal

XALAPA, Mexico, September 8, 2024.- Mexico came out on top Chile 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-13) to win the Bronze Medal at the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup in the Xalapa International Velodrome, Veracruz.

This is Mexico’s first bronze medal in the history of the Cup, adding to their two silver medals (2021, 2023). Mexico finished in third place in the event with a 4-1 record, while Chile ended in fourth place with a 2-4 record.

CHILE AND MEXICO BATTLE THE BALL OVER THE NET

Mexico’s offense was crucial for the victory, with a 55-29 advantage over Chile. The South Americans led in blocking 13-9 and made fewer unforced errors, 25 against 28. Both teams scored 6 service points.

Seven players scored in double digits. For Mexico, Michelle Lizárraga (16), Marcela Herrera (14), María Ximena Cruz (12), Arleth Márquez (12), and María Fernanda Oregel (10). For Chile, Dominga Aylwin (15) and Petra Schwartzman (11). Chilean María Ignacia Nielsen scored a match-high of 7 blocks.

Chile rallied from a three-point deficit (9-12) to take the lead (19-15) with effective serves by Francisca Vásquez. Dominga Aylwin and Petra Schwartzman joined the offense to secure the first set. Mexico jumped to a five-point lead in the second set (12-7) with attacks from Michelle Lizárraga, Marcela Herrera, and Ximena Cruz, but Chile, with blocks from María Ignacia Nielsen and attacks from Aylwin, recovered to tie the set at 23 points; Mexico evened the match with a point by Lizárraga. Mexico dominated the third set from the beginning, winning it by a huge margin, preventing Chile from responding thanks to a 4-1 advantage in blocking. Mexico’s attack was decisive in the fourth set, with Herrera as top performer, scoring points both from kills and blocking. Mexico’s captain Ximena Cruz scored the winning point.

PETRAS SCHWARTZMAN (CHI) AND MARCELA CHIQUIS HERRERAA (MEX) BATTLE THE BALL OF TH ENET

Luis León, Head coach of Mexico: “We knew it was going to be tough, fighting for a medal with Chile after both teams had suffered a loss. We talked to the girls that the team that was better emotionally would have a better chance of winning. Chile pressured in the first set, and we lost focus, which cost us. We got back on track and are happy with the result”.

Ximena Cruz, captain of Mexico: “I’m very happy. It was hard to lose yesterday, but we managed to process it and came out strong to win the bronze medal today. I attribute the victory to our high spirits since the morning, knowing that the bronze medal would go to the team with the best attitude on the court”.

Peru Wins Match for Fifth place in Xalapa

XALAPA, Mexico, September 8, 2024. – Peru won the match for fifth place in the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup after defeating Costa Rica in straight sets (25-15, 25-21, 25-20) on Sunday at the International Velodrome in Xalapa, Veracruz.

Peru finished with a 4-2 record for fifth place. Costa Rica secured sixth place with a 1-4 record.

The South Americans led in attacks (49-34) and aces (7-1). Costa Rica had a slight advantage in blocks (4-3) and committed one fewer unforced error (16-17).

PERU

Peruvian opposite hitter Jeissy Chia was the top scorer of the match with 17 points (12 attacks, 2 blocks, 3 aces). Katherine Pauro also contributed to the victory with 15 attack points, and Xina Cortéz added 14 points (13 attacks, one ace).

Costa Rican captain Ana Victoria Rojas led her team with 13 points (11 attacks, 2 blocks), followed by Krystel Vargas with 11 points (10 attacks, one ace).

Peru dominated the first set, but in the following two sets, Costa Rica stayed close, trailing by just one or two points, challenging Peru with longer rallies and effective blocking.

COSTA RICA CELEBRATING

Katherine Pauro, outside hitter of Peru: “We dominated the first set well because we had better coordination in defense and much more speed. We showed that we are a team that fights hard, never gives up, and the matches we lost were very close”.

Ana Victoria Rojas, captain of Costa Rica: “From the second set on, we focused a bit more and were more organized. I think in the first set we were too anxious to do everything right. Despite several days of intense competition, we performed well. Today we made quite a few blocks. What I liked is that as the tournament progressed, we improved each day individually and as a team. We are leaving with great growth and a strong desire to learn much more”.

Nicaragua Finishes Seventh at U23 Pan American Cup

XALAPA, Mexico, September 8, 2024. – Nicaragua defeated Suriname 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-15) to finish in seventh place at the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup, held from September 3 to 8 at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz.

Nicaragua ended the event with two victories (both against Suriname) and four losses, while Suriname had five losses.

Nicaragua was superior in attacks (47-25), and Suriname led in blocks (4-0). Both teams scored three aces. Nicaragua only conceded 11 points on errors, while Suriname conceded 25.

NICARAGUA WINS FINAL 7-8 MATCH AGAINST SURINAME

Nicaragua’s middle blocker, Brittany Forbes, led all scorers with 14 points, all from kills. Joined by opposite hitter María José Rivera, who contributed 11 points, also all from kills.

Marcela Roa, captain of Nicaragua: “We wanted to finish with a victory to motivate ourselves. We know that this participation leaves us with many things to improve. We realized that this level of play motivates us to perform better in future opportunities. We need to work to improve. We are happy with what we’ve learned; we faced opponents with a very good level. We are motivated to participate in another tournament of this magnitude.”

Claudius Straal, Head coach of Suriname: “The players had no energy today, maybe they were tired and weren’t motivated enough. The team is young, most of them can play for the next two years and we must do some proper work for the future, to be much better next time”.

Cuba to face off Dominican Republic in Gold Medal Match

XALAPA, Mexico, September 7, 2024.- Cuba won their semifinal in five sets 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 16-14) against Mexico and will face the Dominican Republic on Sunday in the gold medal match of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz.

This is the first time in the history of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup that Cuba has reached the gold medal match. The Caribbean team has only won three bronze medals (2014, 2016, 2018).

Cuba prevailed in overtime with advantage in blocking (16-13) and scoring on 44 Mexican errors against 31. Mexico dominated in kills (54-41) and serves(7-5).

CUBA CELEBRATING MATCH POINT

Cuban opposite hitter, Lisania Grafort, led all scorers with 22 points (18 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces). Cuba’s captain, Whitney James, contributed 12 points (9 kills, 2 blocks, one ace). Middle blocker Yensy Kindelan scored a match-high of 5 blocks from her 8 points.

Four Mexican players scored in double digits: Michelle Lizárraga (18), María Cruz (16), Marcela Herrera (15), and Arleth Márquez (14).

Mexico controlled the first set with Michelle Lizárraga joined by María Cruz in the attack, topping with 7 blocks. Cuba tied the match winning a tight second set, reaching 22 points each and scoring the last three points with a kill by Lisania Grafort, Yensy Kindelan blocking Marcela Herrera, and a Mexican error. Cuba dominated the third set from start to finish, capitalizing on Mexico’s errors and leading in blocking 5 to 2, with Grafort as their best player. Mexico came back stronger in the fourth set, jumping to a comfortable six-point lead (15-9) pushed by from Cruz, Herrera, and Arleth Márquez joining in to force the fifth set. The tiebreaker was a party of points, which Cuba won after losing a match point; with a kill from Grafort, Cuba reached the second match point, and Yalain De La Peña sealed the victory with another kill.

MONSTER BLOCK FROM CUBA AGAINST MEXICO

Leivis García, Head coach of Cuba: “We have improved in game organization and made progress from a mental perspective. Despite having a good physical condition, we needed the players to feel powerful during the game, to believe in themselves, and we have worked to bring them to that point. They were motivated against an opponent that deserves respect, the host of the tournament, with athletes of a very high level of play and good tactics, but today the Cubans showed their courage”.

Michelle Lizárraga, Mexico’s top scorer: “We got overconfident and relaxed because we started very well. We gave everything for Mexico, we fought, but the result didn’t go our way. In the end, we pushed hard and recovered after losing two sets”.

Dominican Republic Reach their Seventh U23 Pan Am Cup Gold Medal Match

XALAPA, Mexico, September 7, 2024. – The Dominican Republic defeated Chile 3-0 (30-28, 25-21, 29-27) to reach their seventh gold medal match in the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup at the International Velodrome of Xalapa, Veracruz.

The Dominican Republic has won every edition of the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup since its inception in 2012. The Dominicans will compete for the gold medal on Sunday at 6:00pm against the winner between Mexico and Cuba.

The Dominican Republic earned the win after a remarkable eight-point comeback (15-23) in the third set.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC CELEBRATES

The defending champions led the match in attacks (46-42) and blocks (7-6). Chile prevailed in serves (8-6). The Dominican Republic scored on 25 Chilean errors and handed out 20.

Opposite hitter Alondra Tapia led all scorers, contributing 25 points to the Dominican victory. Middle blocker Florangel Terrero added 14 points.

Once again, opposite hitter Petra Schwartzman led Chile with 19 points. Dominga Aylwin contributed 13 points, and Francisca Vásquez added 10.

PETRA SCHWARTZMAN ATTACKS

The Dominican Republic won a dramatic first set (30-28) with difficult and lengthy rallies, coming from behind (20-23) to prevent Chile four set points, with Alondra Tapia leading the scoring, and for Chile, Dominga Aylwin. The Dominican Republic lost four set points to blocks from María Nielsen and Aylwin, along with two attack errors by Ambar Hernández and Jullie Arias before winning the second. Chile quickly jumped to a seven-point lead (10-3) in the third set, with Petra Schwartzman joining Nielsen in the attack. The Dominican Republic closed the match in three sets after a remarkable eight-point comeback (15-23), with Alondra Tapia scoring one point and Florangel Terrero scoring five consecutive ones. Chile didn’t give up, denying the Dominicans four match points.

Wagner Pacheco, Head Coach of the Dominican Republic: “I am proud of the players and the coaching staff; it was a dramatic comeback in the third set. The team is resilient because we have many weaknesses. We came to the competition with three goals: to reach the semifinals, to reach the final, and now we have one left—to win the gold medal. We will keep working together”.

Camila Donoso, captain of Chile: “We fought hard. We’ve always struggled a bit mentally to close out sets. We’ll give it our all tomorrow, regardless of the opponent, just like today. The Dominican Republic is the current champion, and we gave them all the battle we could; we are satisfied”.

Perú to Compete for Fifth place against Costa Rica

XALAPA, Mexico, September 7, 2024. – Peru defeated Suriname 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-15) to compete for fifth place against Costa Rica in the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup in Xalapa, Veracruz.

On Sunday, Peru and Costa Rica will play for positions 5-6; before, Suriname and Nicaragua will compete for positions 7-8.

Peru also defeated Suriname in the group stage.

XINA CORTEZ ATTACKS WITH LEFT HAND AGAINST SURINAME

Peru’s dominance in attacks (43-23) secured their victory; they led in blocks by one point (4-3) and committed fewer errors (18-23). Both teams scored 5 points on aces.

The leading scorers for Peru were outside hitters Katherine Pauro and Xina Cortéz with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Sharon Balkaran of Suriname led all scorers with 16 points.

Peru struggled to take the first set, with Suriname recovering from a five-point deficit (7-12) to tie at 13 points and then going ahead 15-13 with effective serving from Sharon Balkaran. With Xina Cortéz and Katherine Pauro, Peru regained the lead, closing the set 25-20. Peru never trailed in the second set, with Saskya Silvano joining the offense at the net. In the third set, despite long rallies, the Peruvians earned a comfortable lead of 21-11, mostly with attacks from Dayanne Cure and Carolina Oblea.

PERU

Fabiana Tavara, Peru’s captain: “Several players came in overconfident, and that threw us off our game. We started unfocused, and the first set was close. Talking among ourselves helped because we were at risk of losing. We motivated ourselves and improved, playing more relaxed and enjoying ourselves; sometimes we need that because when we play stressed, things don’t go well”.

Sharon Balkaran, captain of Suriname: “We had a significant improvement, it’s not what I wanted but we’re getting there step by step. I believe we can win a game in this tournament, that’s my goal. I want to take the seventh spot and we need to fight for it. I am proud of my team because we are fighting and improving”.

Costa Rica Wins Central American Derby to Nicaragua

XALAPA, Mexico, September 7, 2024. – Costa Rica won the Central American derby 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 26-24) against Nicaragua in the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup on Saturday at the International Velodrome of Xalapa, Veracruz.

Costa Rica will finish the competition facing the winner between Suriname and Peru for the positions 5-6 ; Nicaragua will go against the loser for 7-8.

Costa Rica celebrated

Costa Rica captured the victory with advantage in blocking (7-3) and benefiting from 28 points off Nicaragua’s errors. Both teams scored 39 attack points and 2 service points.

Three players scored in double digits for Costa Rica: Krystel Vargas (15), Lakysha Thompson (10), and Ana Rojas (10).

Brittany Forbes led Nicaragua with 15 points.

MARIA DEL SOL VENEGAS ATTACKS AGAINST NICARAGUA

Despite Nicaragua’s efforts to recover from a nine-point deficit (9-18), Costa Rica opened the match taking the first set (25-23) with Krystel Vargas’ offensive attack and serve. Nicaragua started strong in the second set, but Costa Rica quickly came back, surpassing Nicaragua and never trailing again, taking advantage of opponent errors and the blocking defense of Lakysha Thompson, along with Sol Venegas, Sheyla Alvarez, and Ana Rojas. Nicaragua, with Marcela Martínez and Brittany Forbes, kept the third set tight, supported by good defense. Brittany denied Costa Rica two match points with two kills from Brittany, but Sol Venegas sored the match point blocking Brittany.

Braulio Godínez, Head coach of Costa Rica: “We were able to control the first two sets, but in the third, Nicaragua made a substitution, using an opposite player we hadn’t studied who greatly improved their reception and defense; she did a lot of damage because she played a lot against our block, and the team had a hard time adjusting. The game evened out in the last set. Thankfully, we pulled through.”

Claudia Noguera, Head coach of Nicaragua: “My players wanted to win the match, but they only started playing in the third set, and by that point, it was difficult because Costa Rica was already more motivated, excited, and focused on winning. I believe part of the result is due to our athletes’ lack of concentration; they didn’t perform as they did in the earlier games, the reception wasn’t effective, and consequently, the attack wasn’t either”.

Axel Gutiérrez of Nicaragua Named MVP of the 1st AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four

GUATEMALA, September 6, 2024.- Axel Gutiérrez of Nicaragua was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1st AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four, held from September 4 to 6 at the Alfonso Gordillo 7 de Diciembre Gymnasium in Guatemala City.

In addition to being the tournament’s MVP, Axel was also the Best Scorer and Best Opposite.

Other Nicaraguan players who received recognition include Jonny Zeledón as the Second Best Spiker and Emilio Andrews, who won the Best Blocker award.

Yefferson Zabala of Guatemala received the Best Server award; also from Guatemala, Carlos López was named Best Spiker.

AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

ALBUM DE FOTOS DE LA PREMIACION

Fernando Navarro of El Salvador received three awards: Best Libero, Best Receiver, and Best Digger. Manuel Platero, also from El Salvador, was recognized as the Second Best Blocker.

Elton Anderson of Belize was named Best Setter.

Guatemala Takes Silver and El Salvador Takes Bronze in the AFECAVOL Final Four

GUATEMALA, September 6, 2024.- Guatemala defeated El Salvador 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-22) to claim the Silver Medal, relegating El Salvador to the Bronze Medal in the 1st AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four Championship.

Guatemala outperformed El Salvador in all areas of the game, with 45-28 in attacks, 8-5 in blocks, and 4-3 in serves. It was a match with few unforced errors, as Guatemala had 17 and El Salvador had 18.

Rodrigo Chavez, ESA

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AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Carlos Fernando López, captain of Guatemala, was the top scorer of the match with 17 points, including 3 blocks and one serve, while Andy Alexis Leonardo scored 15 points. For El Salvador, the top scorer was Abner Cano with 12 points.

Luis Fernando Castañeda, assistant coach of Guatemala, commented, “It was a very important tournament for us; we always aim for the best position in every event. This time, with many young players, we are trying to make the generational change in the senior team. We secured second place, and we will continue working to achieve better goals”.

Andrea Genova, coach of El Salvador, said, “It was a good tournament, and it was evident that the best four teams in Central America were present. Every day, the matches were very competitive, and it gave us the opportunity to test new players who give us a lot of hope for the future. We are satisfied with the work we did, but we are aware that we can improve even more”.

With 33 pts. Petra Schwartzman carries Chile into Semifinal at Xalapa

XALAPA, México, 6 de septiembre de 2024.- With impressive 33 points, opposite hitter Petra Schwartzman carried Chile into the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup semifinals beating Peru 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19) on Friday at the International Velodrome in Xalapa, Veracruz.

On Saturday at 6:00pm, Chile will face the defending champions, the Dominican Republic, in the semifinals, followed by the other semifinal, between Mexico and Cuba. Peru will compete against Suriname in the classification match for positions 5 to 8 at 4:00pm.

ELIZABETH BRAITHWAITE (PER) ATTACKS AGAINST CHILE

Chile dominated in attacks (59-46), blocks (11-5), and serves (7-5), but conceded more points from errors (27-19).

Petra’s 33 points included 27 attacks, 3 blocks, and 3 serves. Outside hitter Dominga Aylwin and middle blocker María Nielsen contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Opposite hitter Jeissy Chia led Peru with 12 points, followed by outside hitter Xina Cortéz with 11 points.

PERU AND CHILE BATTLEING THE BALL OVER THE NET

The first set was very close, with the teams tied and taking turns in the lead. Peru pulled ahead at point 20, scoring five consecutive points with a block by Elizabeth Braithwaite and four Chilean errors. Chile gained a significant eight-point lead and controlled the second set, with Petra Schwartzman’s attacks and capitalizing on Peru’s errors. Chile led 13-9 in the third set, with Petra joined by Dominga Aylwin. Despite the teams engaging in long rallies, Peru’s efforts from Xina Cortéz, along with Katherine Pauro and Saskya Silvano, were not enough. Chile completely dominated the fourth set, maintaining a good rhythm, taking advantage of Peru’s errors, and relying on the offense of Petra and Francisca Vásquez.

Eduardo Guillaume, Head coach of Chile: “We had total control in the last set. Peru is building a new team, and although our players already know each other, they haven’t played together in a while, so both teams are finding their rhythm. At times, they dominated a set, then we did, and in the last set, we settled in well, and they ran out of options to rotate, playing a lot through zone four. We were able to prevail, and now we’re in the semifinals, among the final four”.

Nieves Salas, Peru’s Libero: “Our team lacked more defense. Chile played as a unit and was able to effectively capitalize on good balls to score”.

Nicaragua Wins Gold at the First AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four

GUATEMALA, September 6, 2024 – Nicaragua claimed the Gold Medal at the First Central American Senior Men’s Final Four Championship by defeating Belize 3-2 with set scores of 20-25, 25-15, 25-18, 28-30, and 15-10.

Nicaragua outperformed Belize in attacks with a 62-60 advantage. Belize was stronger in blocks with a 15-12 lead, and both teams were tied in serves with 3 each. However, Belize committed 19 service errors compared to Nicaragua’s 7.

Axel Gutiérrez, NIC

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AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Once again, Axel Gutiérrez was Nicaragua’s top attacker, scoring 26 points, with Jonny Zeledón contributing 21 points, Emilio Andrews scoring 15 points, and Denis García adding 10 points.

For Belize, Karym Coleman scored 26 points, Francis Hauze contributed 17, Ernest Broaster added 15, and Kerwin Palacio scored 13.

Karym Coleman, BIZ

Jorge Mena, coach of Nicaragua, stated, “We are very happy. We prepared for this tournament, and I selected players in whom I had confidence from the beginning. I am proud and dedicate this to my country, to the people who supported us, to those who were always with us. We won the Gold Medal, and we have to celebrate it”.

Yamill Herrera, assistant coach of Belize, said, “We played a very good first set with a strong offensive serve, which helped us win it. We slowed down a lot during the match but managed to win the fourth set. In the fifth set, we made errors that allowed Nicaragua to take the lead. When you face a team with good reception and a high level of attack, you have to take risks with the serve”.

Cuba On to Semifinals with Straight Set Win against Nicaragua

XALAPA, Mexico, September 6, 2024.- Cuba defeated Nicaragua 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-16) to move on to the semifinals of the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup at the International Velodrome of Xalapa, Veracruz. 

Cuba will face Mexico in Saturday’s semifinals, while Nicaragua will play against Costa Rica in a classification match for positions 5 to 8 of the tournament. 

MONSTER BLOCK FROM CUBA AGAINST NICARAGUA

Cuba had difficulties overcoming Nicaragua, but the key factor was their dominance in blocking (15-3). Cuba also led in attacks (33-30) and serves (7-3). Both teams committed 21 unforced errors. 

Cuban Alejandra Gómez was the top scorer of the match with 15 points, and Brittany Forbes once again led Nicaragua, scoring 14 points. They were the only players with double-digit scores. 

Nicaragua kept the score close in the first set with points from Brittany Forbes and Brisa Pérez, but halfway through the set, Cuba’s serving pushed them to a comfortable six-point lead to close the set. With solid defense, Nicaragua did not allow Cuba to take control in the second set, managing to tie the score at 14 points with Norma Brenes’ serving and then pulling ahead with a six-point lead (20-14). However, Nicaragua lost five set points (24-19), allowing Cuba to take a 2-0 lead in sets. Cuba imposed their game in the third set with Lisania Grafort and Whitney James as leading scorers, to seal the victory in straight sets. 

WHITNEY JAMES (CUB) ATTACKS AGAINST NICARAGUA

Alejandra Gómez, top scorer of Cuba: “You can’t assume that the opponent won’t do anything on the court. We were too overconfident with Nicaragua. We recovered the match, but we didn’t reach our level. Honestly, we shouldn’t have conceded so many points to Nicaragua. This is another experience for us; we should never underestimate any opponent.” 

Norma Brenes, Nicaragua’s setter: “We were disciplined during the second set, but in the end, we lost focus and couldn’t execute K-1. We managed to get close on the scoreboard because we improved our attitude and wanted to keep fighting. Tomorrow against Costa Rica, we’ll put on a good show; we’ll fight with everything to make the victory ours.”

Nicaragua Defeats Guatemala and Remains the Only Undefeated Team in the Tournament

GUATEMALA, September 5, 2024.- Nicaragua secured a 3-2 (21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12) victory over Guatemala, maintaining their unbeaten record in the inaugural AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four Championship, at the Alfonso Gordillo Gymnasium on December 7th.

This victory places Nicaragua at the top of the tournament standings, and they will face Belize this Friday, who has a record of two losses. If the Nicaraguans win, they will be crowned champions.

Nicaragua

Meanwhile, Guatemala, with a record of one win and one loss, will face El Salvador, which has the same record. The winner will have a chance to contend for the silver medal, but if Belize wins the first game, the gold medal will depend on the result of that match.

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AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Guatemala outperformed Nicaragua in attacks 64-53 and in serves 6-3, while blocks ended in a tie with 9 each. Nicaragua secured the victory thanks to the 44 unforced errors given by Guatemala throughout the game (equivalent to almost 2 sets).

Edras Pineda, GUA

Axel Gutiérrez of Nicaragua was the top scorer of the match with 23 points, and Jonny Zeledón contributed 16 points to the victory. For Guatemala, Carlos López was the top scorer with 20 points, supported in the attack by Yeferson Zavala with 19 points.

Axel Gutiérrez of Nicaragua said, “We came for the game, we fought until the last point, and tomorrow we will go for the gold, without a doubt”.

Yeferson Zavala of Guatemala commented, “We knew we were facing a very strong Nicaragua. We managed the first and third sets well. In the second set, we lost our rhythm and couldn’t close out the fourth and fifth sets. Tomorrow, we depend on the game between Nicaragua and Belize to see if we can make it to the podium”.

Mexico Win Pool B, Advance to Semifinals in Xalapa

XALAPA, Mexico, September 5, 2024. – Mexico won Pool B after a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-21) victory over Peru and advanced to the semifinals of the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup at the International Velodrome of Xalapa, Veracruz.

Mexico earned their spot in the semifinals with a 3-0 record. Peru (2-1), second in Pool B, will face Chile on Friday in the quarterfinals.

MEXICO

Mexico capitalized on 24 opponent errors, along with a comfortable 47 to 32  advantages in kills. The hosts also outperformed in blocks 5 to 3 and in service points 5 to 4.

Outside hitter Marcela Herrera and opposite hitter Arleth Marquez scored 19 and 12 points respectively for Mexico. Herrera scored a match-high of 4 aces.

For Peru, outside hitter Xina Cortez scored 8 points.

XINA CORTEZ ATTACKS AGAINST MEXICO

Peru surprised Mexico with Fabiana Hurtado and Xina Cortez power over the net to reach a seven-point lead (15-7), but Mexico fought back with the offense of Michelle Lizárraga, Arleth Marquez, and Marcela Herrera to tie at 21 and close the set in their favor. In the second set, Mexico played with more confidence and never trailed. The score in the third set remained close and tied until point 14, when Mexico pulled ahead up to the end, with María Ximena Cruz scoring the final kill point.

Luis León, Head coach of Mexico: “It was extremely difficult for us to get into the game, find our rhythm, and gain confidence. It wasn’t until after the middle of the first set that we reacted, and it was just enough for us to win the first set. Peru came out strong, did their job, and executed with confidence and security—something we lacked at the start. Things started to flow, and we are ready for the semifinals”.

Marcelo Diniz Bencardino, Head coach of Peru: “The team played very well in the first set. We were down 20-16 and managed to come back to 23-20 with good effort and confidence. We tied at 23 but had difficulty finishing. Basically, the first set was more ours than Mexico’s. Naturally, the second set took a toll. It won’t be the first or last time, so we need to stay calm. We will keep going”.

El Salvador Secures a Narrow Victory Over Belize 

GUATEMALA, September 5, 2024.- El Salvador earned its first victory in the AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four on Thursday, defeating Belize 3-1 in four closely contested sets, 25-18, 23-25, 26-24, and 25-23.

Belize outperformed El Salvador in attacks 54-52 and in aces 4-3, while both teams were tied in blocks at 7.

Flavio Lopez, ESA

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AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Francis Hauze of Belize led all scorers with 23 points, including 3 blocks and one ace. For Belize, Kerwin Palacio added 17 points, and Ernest Broaster contributed 11, supporting Hauze in the attack.

On the other hand, El Salvador had Abner Cano with 20 points and Rodrigo Chávez with 11 points as their top scorers.

El Salvador capitalized on Belize’s 37 unforced errors to secure the victory.

Kerwin Palacio, BIZ

Belize will conclude its participation this Friday at 5 PM  facing Nicaragua, while El Salvador will play against Guatemala at 7:30 PM.

Abner Cano of El Salvador said, “After yesterday’s defeat, we sat down as a team and committed to winning the last two games to make it to the podium. The result was what we expected. In the last games we’ve played against Guatemala, we haven’t been able to beat them, but we’re here to change history”.

Elton Anderson, Captain of Belize, commented, “It was a bad result. It wasn’t the result we wanted. We worked hard, but somehow in the last parts of the sets, we just couldn’t finish. Tomorrow, it’s a must-win against Nicaragua, at least we’ll leave with a victory. We wanted three wins, but tomorrow we all need to come focused and play hard from start to finish”.

Dominican Republic Heads to Semis after Win over Cuba

XALAPA, Mexico, September 5, 2024.- The Dominican Republic defeated Cuba 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-20) to advance to the semifinals of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup in Xalapa, Veracruz.

Defending champions, Dominican Republic, won Pool A with a 3-0 record, earning a direct ticket to Saturday’s semifinals. Cuba (2-1) will face Nicaragua on Friday in the quarterfinals.

ALONDRA TAPIA (DOM) ATTACKS AGAINST CUBA

Despite Cuba leading by one point in attacks (39-38) and in aces (3-2), the Dominican Republic secured the victory with advantage in blocks (6-4) and committing fewer errors (19-29).

Opposite hitter Alondra Tapia led the Dominican Republic to victory with 25 points (22 attacks, 2 blocks, one ace), she was the only player on her team to score in double digits.

Opposite hitter Yalain De La Peña and captain Whitney James led Cuba with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

AILYN LIBERATO SETTING FOR DOM_MIKASA

The Dominican Republic recovered from a five-point deficit (8-13) thanks to consecutive points from Alondra Tapia, tying the score at 14 and then turning the game around to 19-15 with Geraldine González’s block; Cuba denied them two set points (24-20) with Thainalien Castillo attacking and a Dominican error. In the second set, the Dominicans pulled away from  point 4 onward and never looked back; even so, the ending was close, with Lisania Grafort scoring two service points before the Dominican Republic went up 2 sets. The Dominican Republic quickly advanced to a huge 12-3 lead in the third set with a block from Florangel Terrero, but Cuba fought back with Lianet Garcia, Whitney James, and Castillo closing the gap, but a short touch by Ailyn Liberato surprised Cuba with a short touch to score match point.

Wagner Pacheco, Head coach of the Dominican Republic: “It was a very difficult round because we have three very young players who hadn’t played at this level before. Besides the victory and reaching the semifinals, the most important thing is that we are playing as a team, playing very well. The players understood that results are achieved as a team, and that makes the difference. Now we rest and will come out strong against the next opponent”.

Leivis García, Head coach of Cuba: “The tactical game plan was not followed. What was trained was not executed on the court, and evidently, the Dominican Republic knows how to play volleyball. The players didn’t apply themselves and started making basic mistakes, which reduced their competitiveness. We still have a chance to compete for the gold”.

Nicaragua Takes down Suriname to reach Quarterfinals

XALAPA, Mexico, September 5, 2024. – Nicaragua defeated Suriname 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-15) to advance to the quarterfinal round as third place in Pool B of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup at the International Velodrome in Xalapa, Veracruz.

Nicaragua (1-2) will face the loser between the Dominican Republic and Cuba in quarterfinals on Friday. Suriname (0-3) will play in the matches for positions 5 to 8 in the event.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua controlled every element of the game, with a 39-22 advantage in attacks, 7-6 in blocks, and 8-3 in serves, while scoring 21 points from opponent errors compared to 17.

Brittany Forbes of Nicaragua led all scorers with 18 points (13 attacks, 2 blocks, 3 aces). Brisa Pérez contributed 12 points, all from kills.

Sharon Balkaran, captain of Suriname, led her team with 11 points (10 attacks, one block).

NORMA BRENES (NCA) ATTACKS AGAINST SURINAME’S BLOCKERS SHOMANTLA DE GRAVEN

The first set was the most contested, despite Suriname recovering from a four-point deficit (16-20), Brittany Pérez, along with María José Rivera and Brisa Pérez, put Nicaragua ahead. From the sixth point onward, the Central Americans were always in the lead in the second set, topping Suriname with a huge margin, using the offense of its three key players. Nicaragua started the third set with a significant lead (6-1) and claimed victory in straight sets, with Brittany and María José leading the offense.

Claudia Noguera, Head coach of Nicaragua: “This victory guaranteed us a spot in the quarterfinals. It is the first time that Nicaragua has reached the quarterfinals in this Pan American age-group, which is gratifying. I told the players that this is a new experience for them and to take advantage of all the resources and everything they can gain from this championship. We will continue to fight to climb up the rankings”.

Claudius Straal, Head coach of Suriname: “We had a great first set. In the next sets we had too many passing errors as well as serving errors which is the most important thing in volleyball. Maybe we’ll have a rematch against them and do better”.

Chile Moves into Quarterfinals

XALAPA, Mexico, September 5, 2024.- Chile defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-20) to advance to the quarterfinal round of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup at the International Velodrome in Xalapa, Veracruz.

With their first victory in the tournament, Chile (1-2) secured third place in Pool A and moved on to the next round, where they will face the loser between Mexico and Peru. Costa Rica (0-3) will play in the classification matches for positions 5 to 8.

FRANCISCA VASQUEZ ATTACKS FOR CHILE AGAINST CRC

Chile finished the match with advantage in attacks (40-30) and blocks (5-3). Both teams scored 4 direct points from serves. Costa Rica conceded fewer points on errors (26-28).

Opposite hitter Petra Schwartzman was once again Chile’s top scorer with 17 points (15 attacks, 2 aces). Outside hitter Dominga Aylwin added 12 points for the win (9 attacks, 2 blocks, one ace). Francisca Vásquez contributed 10 points, all from kills.

Krystel Vargas led Costa Rica with 11 points (10 attacks, 1 block).

KRYSTEL VARGAS RECEIVES FOR CRC

The game had really extended rallies with both teams taking turns holding the advantage. Chile closed the first set by scoring four consecutive points (21-21) with attacks from Dominga Aylwin and Francisca Vásquez, along with a couple of opponent errors. Costa Rica started the second set 4-0 with offense from Ana Victoria Rojas and María del Sol Venegas, alongside Krystel Vargas’s serve, but Chile recovered, and the point exchange resumed. Chile always led in the third set and managed to finish with a comfortable five-point margin after a block by Aylwin against Jezrel Cabezas.

Ediardp Guillaume, Head coach of Chile: “This was a key match, the most important one. Not only was it important to win this match to move on to the next round, but also to gain confidence because we had faced two very strong opponents (Cuba, Dominican Republic), and the team wasn’t playing freely. To play freely, you need things to go well, and today they did, even though it was close. Now we will face the loser between Peru and Mexico, and we will see what happens.”

Braulio Godínez, Head coach of Costa Rica: “In the third set, our setter lost focus, and Chile managed to pull away; we didn’t have a chance to catch up. I feel it was a good match, with a high volume of play, and I am pleased with the team’s performance. We still lack a bit of faith and confidence in the final moments, as evidenced by closing the second set with two bad serves. Now we have two tough matches ahead of us, and we hope to win them.”

Guatemala Struggles to Defeat Belize

GUATEMALA CITY, September 4, 2024. – Guatemala struggled to secure a 3-1 victory (25-18, 25-17, 13-25, 25-21) over Belize in the opening match for both teams in the AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four, held at the Alfonso Gordillo Gymnasium on December 7.

It was a hard-fought match, with both teams showcasing powerful hitters; a total of seven players reached double digits.

Jerry Dura, GUA, ataca

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AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

For Guatemala, Carlos López scored 15 points, Andy Leonardo had 13 points, and both Yeferson José Zavala and Jason Omar Hernández contributed 12 points each. On the Belizean side, Karym Coleman was the top scorer of the match with 16 points, followed by Francis Hauze with 14 points and Ernest Broaster with 12 points.

Guatemala outperformed Belize in attacks, 49-43, while Belize exceeded Guatemala in blocks, 9-4. Both teams were tied in serves, with 6 points each.

Karym Coleman, BIZ, remata

Carlos López, captain and top scorer for Guatemala, said, “Guatemala started strong, leading 2-0. In the third set, we lost focus and made many mistakes that Belize capitalized on. The fourth set was the most contested. I congratulate Belize on the work they’re doing and Guatemala’s bench players for their significant contribution in the final set”.

Karym Coleman, top scorer for Belize and the match, explained, “The match was very good. Belize started off slow, but in the third set, we started strong and won. Tomorrow, I hope we can come out stronger and more focused than in the first two sets today”.

Mexico Defeats Nicaragua for their second Victory

XALAPA, Mexico, September 4, 2024. – Mexico defeated Nicaragua 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13) in their second victory at the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup at the Xalapa International Velodrome, Veracruz.

On Thursday, Mexico (2-0) and Peru (2-0) will compete for first place in Pool B and a direct spot in Saturday’s semifinals. Nicaragua (0-2) and Suriname (0-2) will battle for third place and a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

XIMENA SOLAR SERVING FOR MEXICO_MIKASA

The home team dominated in attacks (39-20), blocks (6-3), and serves (12-1). Mexico conceded fewer points from errors (16-18).

Mexico was able to use all its players, with Marcela Herrera as leading scorer with 10 points (7 attacks, 3 serves). María Ximena Solar registered 9 points.

For Nicaragua, Brittany Forbes led with 10 points (7 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace). María José Rivera contributed 8 points.

In the first set, Mexico was convincing, reaching a huge lead (20-8), which allowed them to control the match in the following sets.

JIMENA SALINAS SETTING FOR MEXICO

Marcela Herrera, top scorer of Mexico: “After watching Nicaragua play against Peru yesterday, we expected a tougher match, so we approached it with more confidence than we did in our previous game. Tomorrow against Peru, we need to come in strong, with a lot of confidence, and focus on our own game without depending on external factors. We want to enjoy tomorrow’s match; we’re playing at home, and we hope to have the support of the crowd”.

Brittany Forbes, top scorer of Nicaragua: “We knew it would be a tough match; they are playing at home and would have more confidence. We lacked better performance in receiving; without that, there’s no setting and no attack. I think we lacked confidence, although we recovered a bit towards the end, but the result didn’t go our way. Tomorrow, our opponent (Suriname) has height, but if we play at the level we know we can, we can win”.

Dominican Republic Came Out on Top Chile in four sets

XALAPA, Mexico, September 4, 2024. – Dominican Republic defeated Chile 3-1 (21-25, 25-11, 25-20, 25-20), improving their record 2-0 in Pool A of the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup in Xalapa, Veracruz.

The Dominican Republic (2-0) and Cuba (2-0) will face off on Thursday for the top spot in the pool and a place in the semifinals. Chile (0-2) will play against Costa Rica (0-2) for third place and a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

GERALDINE GONZALEZ AND AILYN LIBERATO BLOCKING CHILE’S OH DOMINGA AYLWIN

The Dominican Republic bounced back from losing the first set, defeating Chile thanks to their superiority in blocking (10-3) and benefiting from 40 Chilean errors compared to their own 20. They also held a slight edge in attacks (37-36). Chile dominated in serves (10-9).

With double-digits, Alandra Tapia (18 points), Geraldine González (16 points), and Florangel Terrero (14 points) led the Dominican Republic to victory. González scored a match-high of 6 blocks.

Chilean Petra Schwartzman led all scorers with 19 points, while her teammate Dominga Aylwin contributed 11 points.

PETRA SHWARTZMAN (CHI) ATTACKS AGAINST DOM

Chile won the first set after coming back from a three-point deficit (7-10) with a block by María Nielsen and a serve by Francisca Vásquez; the lead shifted back and forth throughout the set. With the offense of Alondra Tapia and Florangel Terrero, the Dominican Republic rebounded, jumping to a huge lead in the second set (14-6). Geraldine González’s block stopped Chile’s efforts, allowing the Dominican team to tie the match with a convincing 25-11. The Dominicans maintained control in the third set, but the Chileans stayed close with attacks and strong serves from Petra Schwartzman. In the fourth set, González’, Tapia, and Terrero blocks were key to securing the win.

Alondra Tapia, top scorer of Dominican Republic: “It was hard for us to get into our rhythm. The team worked hard, and we supported each other to recover, along with the coaching staff. Our team is working on improving, getting better, because there are new players who are still developing. The pressure of coming from behind helps us improve. Personally, I need to be more responsible with my role on the team and give my best. Tomorrow will be a very fun and dynamic match against Cuba”.

Petra Schwartzman, top scorer of Chile: “In the first set, we came out with more determination, more intention, and they gave us more points on errors. The Dominican Republic got more organized in the second set, and it was hard for us to get back into our rhythm. The goal is to win as many matches as we can; we haven’t been able to win the first two, but tomorrow we will give it our all. It’s time to turn the page and play well”.

Nicaragua starts with a victory over El Salvador in the Men’s Final Four

GUATEMALA, September 4, 2024. – Nicaragua began the Men’s Final Four with a 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-20, 25-12) in the historic opening match of this first edition of the tournament organized by AFECAVOL.

The Nicaraguans fought hard to win the first set, but from the second set onward, they were far superior to the Salvadorans, who could no longer find their rhythm.

Axel Guitierrez, NIC, ataque

Nicaragua greatly outperformed El Salvador in blocks 13-3 and attacks 13-3, while El Salvador led in serves 3-1.

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AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Nicaragua’s Axel Gutiérrez was the top scorer of the match with 23 points, 20 of which came from attacks, 2 from blocks, and one from a serve. Emilio Andrews supported Nicaragua’s offense with 14 points, making him the best blocker of the match with 7 points.

Rodrigo Chávez scored 11 points for El Salvador, along with Abner Itiel Cano and Manuel Platero, who each contributed 9 points each.

Nicaragua celebra

Nicaragua’s Axel Gutiérrez, the top scorer of the match, stated, “We came hungry, thirsty for victory; we want to achieve what we have dreamed of for so long, which is the gold medal. El Salvador showed a good level of play, but in the end, we secured the victory”.

Rodrigo Chávez, El Salvador’s top scorer, commented, “I believe the team’s sporting maturity came through. We are a fairly renewed team with many young players who have little experience in this category. Nicaragua took advantage of those weaknesses, and they were more decisive. We will gradually develop a better game and give a stronger performance against the other two teams”.

Peru Aced Suriname All the Way

XALAPA, Mexico, September 4, 2024. – With an overwhelming 12-0 advantage in serves, Peru dominated Suriname 3-0 (25-5, 25-10, 25-13) in the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup that’s being played at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz.

Peru remains undefeated (2-0) in Pool B and will finish the preliminary round on Thursday against Mexico. Suriname, still winless (0-2), will close the pool-play against Nicaragua. The top team in the pool advances to Saturday’s semifinals.

Peru

In addition to their serving advantage, Peru dominated in attacks 33-11 and blocks 3-1, limiting their errors to 14 compared to 29 from Suriname.

Peru used all its players, with Carolina Oblea scoring a match-high of 5 service aces, 4 of them in the first set, totaling 7 points overall. The top scorer was opposite Jeissy Chia with 13 points (10 attacks, 3 aces). Xina Cortez added 7 points.

Sharon Balkaran led Suriname with 7 points.

SASKYA SILVANO ATTACKS AGAINST SURINAME

Evelyn Gallegos, middle blocker of Peru: “In yesterday’s match, we learned that we need more communication on the court. Today’s match allowed our coach to make many changes and give everyone a chance to play and get more confidence, which I think was evident. What worked in our favor was our serves, especially in the first set. Tomorrow, we hope to see a full house when we face Mexico. We’re going to try to limit our errors but also repeat the successes we’ve had. We’re going to play with passion to put on a show for all of Veracruz”.

Shemandy Clydesdale, setter of Suriname: “We definitely could have done better. Peru’s serves were challenging for us. Our team lacks spirit, we don’t celebrate enough to motivate us. At some point the receiving was good and the passing, but we couldn’t score. I tried to hype my team, and we need to work on that”.

Cuba Earns Second Win at U23 Pan Am Cup in Xalapa

XALAPA, Mexico, September 4, 2024. – Cuba earned its second victory in the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup after defeating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-14) on Wednesday in Xalapa, Veracruz.

This was Cuba’s second consecutive win in Pool A, and they will face the Dominican Republic on Thursday in their final match of the preliminary round. Costa Rica, with a 0-2 record, will play against Chile. The top team in the pool advances to the semifinals of the competition.

CUBA WINS MATCH AGAINST CRC

Cuba outplayed Costa Rica using all of its players, making various lineup changes, and ended with a 41-22 advantage in attacks, 10-1 in blocks, and 4-1 in serves. Costa Rica committed fewer unforced errors (20-26).

Cuban outside hitters Lianet García and Alejandra Gómez were the top scorers of the match with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Melina Abarca was Costa Rica’s top scorer with 7 points.

SHEYLA ALVAREZ SETTING FOR COSTA RICA

Lianet García, Cuba’s top scorer: “We tried several new things during the game because the coach made lineup changes, all to help us develop individually and as a team. Tomorrow, we face a strong opponent (Dominican Republic), and the goal is to win, play hard, and give it our all. We will fight, as is customary in Cuba, and we hope to secure the berth in the semifinals”.

Camila Arias, libero of Costa Rica: “Cuba gave us the tough match we expected; they are a great opponent. The match was challenging, not easy; we fought, but we lacked the right attitude. We met the objectives we set for the match: not to stop fighting for the balls and to improve our serve, which I believe we executed more effectively in the last set”.

Mexico starts Women’s U23 Pan Am Cup with convincing Win against Suriname

XALAPA, Mexico, September 3, 2024.- Mexico began the Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup with a convincing 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13) victory over Suriname at the International Velodrome of Xalapa in Veracruz.

The hosts dominated every skill of the game, attacks (37-16), blocks (3-1), and service aces (11-1). Mexico committed 19 errors, while Suriname made 24.

Mexico

On Wednesday in Pool B, at 4:00pm, Suriname (0-1) will face Peru (1-0), and at 8:00pm Mexico (1-0) goes against Nicaragua (0-1).

Mexico’s middle blocker and captain, María Ximena Cruz, was the top scorer of the match with 13 points (11 attacks, one block, one ace). Opposite hitter Arleth Marquez contributed to the victory with 9 points, while setter Jimena Salinas recorded a match-high 4 service aces.

Sharon Balkaran, Suriname’s captain, scored 8 points.

AVAIRA SENGWAI WINS BALL OVER THE NET

María Ximena Cruz, captain of Mexico: “This is the first international tournament for many on the team, and I feel that for a first match, it was a good start for us to loosen up as a team. We were a bit nervous; sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves because we want to do things right, especially playing in Mexico. I believe that with what we’re doing in training, we have what it takes to win a medal. We have much more to give.”

Sharon Balkaran, captain of Suriname: “I think we could have done better. I expected Mexico to be stronger and maybe we could have won this game. I have a positive mindset; it’s  the beginning of the journey and it’s going to be fine. We must learn from our mistakes and regroup. I believe we can win a game or two”.

Cuba Outclass Chile in Four Sets

XALAPA, Mexico, September 3, 2024.- Cuba defeated Chile 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-13) on the first day of competition at the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup in the International Velodrome of Xalapa, Veracruz.

Cuba recovered after losing the first set with a 45-42 advantage in attacks and scoring 36 points on Chile’s errors compared to their own 22. Chile had the edge in blocking with 14-8 and scored one more point in aces, 8-7.

IGNACIA NIELSEN ATTACKS AGAINST CUBA

Cuba’s captain, Whitney James, led her team with 16 points (14 attacks, 2 aces). Opposite hitter Lisania Grafort added 10 points, all on attacks.

Chilean opposite hitter Petra Schwartzman was the top scorer of the match with impressive 29 points (21 attacks, 5 blocks, 3 aces). Outside hitter Dominga Aylwin contributed 11 points, including 5 blocks, followed by middle blocker Maria Ignacia Nielsen with 10 points.

On the second day of Pool A, Cuba (1-0) will face Costa Rica (0-1) at 2:00 PM, and Chile (0-1) will take on the Dominican Republic (1-0) at 6:00 PM.

CUBA’S CAPTAIN WHITNEY JAMES CELEBRATING FOR CUBA

Chile quickly earned a six-point lead (16-10) in the first set, capitalizing on Cuba’s reception errors, along with Petra Schwartzman’s offense and Maria Ignacia Nielsen’s blocking. Cuba came back from a seven-point deficit in the second set (13-20) with attacks from Lisania Grafort and Thainalien Castillo. Yensy Kindelan stopped Chile with a block, and Whitney James’ attack tied the match. Cuba took the third set after losing two set points to Petra, but a block by Lisbeysis Hernández put Cuba ahead. With a 4-1 advantage in blocks and 2-0 in aces, Cuba dominated the fourth and final set.

Whitney James, captain of Cuba: “The key to our recovery was patience, a lot of patience. We focused on correcting our mistakes and calming down. This is the first match of the tournament, and it’s normal to have ups and downs; training is one thing, and playing a match is another. We concentrated on our game”.

Camila Donoso, captain of Chile: “Cuba finished extraordinarily; they started blocking us, especially at the end of the match, making it difficult for us to score, and as a result, we got frustrated. It’s only the first match; we’re used to the pressure of coming from behind, and I’m sure we’ll bounce back”.

Peru Starts Off U23 Pan American Cup with a Victory

XALAPA, Mexico, September 3, 2024.- Peru started off the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup with a 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-16, 25-15) victory over Nicaragua at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz, Mexico.

In their first match in Pool B, despite dropping a set, Peru outperformed in attacks (50-38), blocks (6-5), and serves (9-4). Peru scored 31 points from opponent errors and gave away 26.

PERU’S LIBERO BRISSA NIEVES RECEIVING

On Wednesday, Peru will play against Suriname, and Nicaragua will face Mexico.

Three players scored in double digits for the South American team; Fabiana Hurtado with 15 points (10 attacks, one block, and a match-high of 4 aces), Xina Cortez with 14 points (all from kills), and Jeissy Chia with 11 points (6 attacks, 3 blocks, 2 aces).

Brittany Forbes led Nicaragua with 15 points (12 attacks, 2 blocks, one ace).

Nicaragua surprised Peru in the second set, jumping to a comfortable four-point lead (11-7) and tying the match at one set apiece, thanks to the offense of Brittany Forbes and María José Rivera. Peru came back with determination in the third set, surpassing Nicaragua 13-9 in attacks, with Xina Cortez leading the way. In the fourth set, Fabiana Hurtado was joined by Katherine Pauro to secure the win.

Peru

Fabiana Tavara, captain of Peru: “We lost the second set because we got anxious and stressed when things weren’t going our way. I made some poor decisions, which caused the team to be unsure of what to do. Our defense also became disorganized, and as a result, our reception suffered. We needed time to calm down, we communicated and improved a lot. Starting with a win motivates us and gives us confidence to keep going, especially after bad results in other championships”.

María Marcela Roa, captain of Nicaragua: “We showed that we have potential by winning the second set. The key was that we enjoyed ourselves. I think we got nervous because for some of us, it’s our first time in a Pan American Cup. In the following sets, we felt pressured. We need to improve our communication, teamwork, and go back to enjoying the game”.

Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica in U23 Women’s Pan American Cup Opener

XALAPA, Mexico, September 3, 2024.-  Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-17) in the opening match of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz.

Dominican Republic finished with a huge lead in attack points, 45 to 22, holding a slight edge in blocks, 6 to 5, and in serves, 2 to 1. The Caribbean team conceded one more point on errors (23-22).

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WINS MATCH AGAINST CRC

Dominican opposite hitter Alondra Tapia led all scorers with 17 points. Middle blocker Geraldine Gonzalez contributed 10 points to the Dominican victory.

Costa Rican opposite and team captain Ana Victoria Rojas scored 11 points, the only player on her team to reach double digits.

In the first set, the teams were tied at twelve points, but from then on, Ailyn Liberato and Alondra Tapia pushed the Dominican Republic to take the first set. The Dominican Republic dominated the second set, gaining a sizeable lead (14-6), with Florangel Terrero joining their offense, and then closing their first win in straight sets.

GERALDINE GONZALEZ (DOM) ATTACKS AGAINST CRC

Aiylin Liberato, captain of the Dominican Republic: “We are a team with the motto: improvement; we are seeking to reach a good level of play, to prepare together as a team, and to reach the maximum of our potential. We trust our coaches and follow their instructions, which gives us all the confidence to achieve a good result. We adapted during the game; it was the first time we played together as a team. We have three Caribbean Queens, two Olympians, and there was a lot of disposition to come together and come out with the win.”

Ana Victoria Rojas, captain of Costa Rica: “We came in with the mindset to enjoy the game and for each of us to fulfill our role on the court. As the match progressed, the Dominican Republic got more comfortable, and we lost focus. There were moments during the sets when we regained our defensive and attacking mindset as we did in the first set. The experience of the Dominican Republic weighed heavily.”

All Set for the Start of the First AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, September 3, 2024: The first AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four Championship kicked off this Tuesday with the preliminary interviews with the coaches and representatives from Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua—the teams that secured the top spots in last year’s Central American Championship.

Everyone agrees that this is a great initiative by the AFECAVOL Board of Directors, as this tournament allows the senior national teams to have annual competition.

ALBUM FLICKR

AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Albert Humes, coach of Belize, said, “I believe the Final Four is an excellent tournament. What it does is, if you play here, it helps develop the senior category program, as you get to play in AFECAVOL every year. As for Belize, we are always knocking on the door, and today we are trying to open that door and step inside. Our guys have trained very hard to do well in this tournament. Profe Yamill Herrera from Cuba has greatly helped in trying to take Belize to the next level, so that’s our expectation for this tournament”.

Belize

Italian coach Andrea Génova of El Salvador commented, “This is the first time this tournament is being organized, and it’s a great incentive because it features the top 4 teams from last season. I think it’s going to be a good tournament, with extra motivation for senior teams, as they will now compete every year. We have come well-prepared, but the competition will be very tough because everyone has brought a very good team”.

El Salvador

Reider Lucas, coach of Guatemala, expressed, “This is going to be a very interesting and important tournament since it’s the first time it’s being held with the top four ranked teams in Central America. In our region, there is a lot of competitive rivalry, and this helps improve the level of our teams and the level of the area. We believe it will be a very close competition. We have prepared well, we have a fairly renewed team, and we want to do well and try to achieve the objectives we’ve set for ourselves”.

Guatemala

Jorge Mena, coach of Nicaragua, stated, “We appreciate the opportunity to play in this first edition of the Final Four. Our team comes to work, to give our best, and we are well-prepared for this tournament. Our expectations are to reach the highest spot on the podium. We are 100%, we feel good, and the young players are ready to give it their all”.

Nicaragua

Five NORCECA Referees successfully underwent FIVB Referee Course during Boys’ U17 World Championship

September 3, 2024.- As many as 26 international referees from all over the world not only whistled the matches of the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship in Sofia, from Aug. 25-31, but also successfully underwent an extensive course to be confirmed as FIVB referees, following their successful examination and practical performance.

Five candidates came from the NORCECA Confederation: Krystian Krzyzak (United States), José Beltré (Dominican Republic), Jason Dodd (Canda), Yamil Gómez (Puerto Rico) and Kenia Nieves (Puerto Rico).

FIVB Rules of the Game and Refereeing Commission President Guillermo Paredes from Argentina was the Course Director, joined by Commission members Alexander Steel from Scotland, Frans Loderus from the Netherlands and Guy Bradbury from Canada as course instructors.

The course was organized by the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation (BFV). It included three days of theory, which covered various topics like the different referee roles, decision making, game technology with a focus on the Video Challenge system, physical and mental readiness, training attention and focus, and concluded with a written examination before the beginning of the U17 World Championship.

It was followed by practical on-court experience and assessment during the matches with the candidates taking on different referee roles. On the last three days of the competition, the referees received hands-on experience with the Video Challenge system, with Bolt6 experts offering them their extensive knowledge.

All five NORCECA referees concluded the course successfully and are a valuable addition to improve the refereeing level in our region.

Dominican Republic, USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Cuba & Mexico Qualified to Women’s 2025 World Championship

September 3, 2024.- The FIVB revealed the participants of the 2025 Women’s Volleyball World Championship that will take place in Thailand featuring 32 national teams, which include six NORCECA teams.

Next year’s edition of the event will be the first to be held biannually.

Current NORCECA Champions Dominican Republic (ranked No.11), United States (ranked No.3) and Canada (ranked No.8) earned their berth via NORCECA quota.

Team USA against Team Dominican Republic on September 3, 2023 in Quebec City, Canada. Mathieu Belanger/Norceca

Puerto Rico (ranked No.16), Cuba (ranked No.23) and Mexico (ranked No.25) were also confirmed via FIVB World Ranking after the qualification period for the tournament  concluded on August 30.

Completing the list are host Thailand and defending world champions Serbia, along with Poland,  Germany, Belgium, Czechia, Ukraine, France, Bulgaria, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Greece.

The exact dates of the 2025 Volleyball Women’s World Championship and information about the tournament’s Drawing of Lots will be released when available.

United States, Canada and Cuba Qualified to Men’s 2025 World Championship

September 3, 2024.- The FIVB revealed the participants of the 2025 Men’s Volleyball World Championship that will take place in the Philippines featuring 32 national teams, with USA, Canada and Cuba representing NORCECA.

Next year’s edition of the event will be the first to be held biannually.

Team USA NORCECA 2023 Champions

The men’s tournament has two automatic qualifiers – hosts the Philippines and defending champions Italy. As part of the new qualification system, 15 spots were awarded during the 2023 Continental Championships, with Current NORCECA Champions the United States (ranked No.3), Canada (ranked No.11) and Cuba (ranked No.12).

Egypt, Algeria and Libya emerging from Africa, Japan, Iran and Qatar qualifying in Asia, Poland, Slovenia and France taking the European berths, and Argentina, Brazil and Colombia representing South America.

The remaining 15 spots were allocated to the best national teams in the FIVB World Rankings as of August 30, 2024, not yet qualified – Germany, Serbia, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Belgium, Türkiye, Czechia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Finland, Tunisia, China, Romania, Chile and Korea.

The men’s World Championship will be held in the Philippines from September 12-28, 2025, and the Drawing of Lots will take place in Manila, on September 14, 2024, at 19:30 local time (11:30 GMT), and will be streamed live and for free on VBTV and Volleyball World’s YouTube channel.

Cuba finishes 10th, Mexico 12th, and Puerto Rico 15th at U17 World Championship

SOFIA, Bulgaria, August 31, 2024.- Cuba finished in 10th place, Mexico in 12th, and Puerto Rico in 15th in the first edition of the U17 Men’s World Championship, which concluded on Saturday in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Cuba faced the host nation, Bulgaria, in a match for the ninth place in the tournament. The European team won 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-18). The top scorer of the match was Cuban Yosdani Medina with 23 points. Cuba outperformed Bulgaria in attack (44-30), but 22 unforced errors contributed to their loss.

Mexico vs Libya

Meanwhile, Mexico fell 1-3 (27-25, 23-25, 16-25, 17-25) against Libya, finishing 12th place in the tournament. Both teams tied in attacks with 51 points each, but 25 unforced errors from Mexico allowed the Libyans to take the victory. Emi Yanixan Diaz with 18 points and Ricardo González with 12 points were the top scorers for Mexico.

Puerto Rico finished in 15th place without playing, as Uzbekistan was a no-show in the tournament.

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

Italy triumphed as the first ever U17 boys’ volleyball world champions with a furious comeback from two 3-2 (23-25, 17-25, 25-22, 33-31, 15-9) over Argentina.

Chinese Taipei won the bronze medal with a hard-fought 3-2 (25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12) victory against Spain.

Cuba will play for 9th place and Mexico for 11th place at Boys’ U17 World Championship

SOFIA, Bulgaria, August 30, 2024.- Cuba and Mexico will play for 9th and 11th place respectively, after Cuba beat Libya and Mexico fell to Bulgaria on Friday at the Boys’ U17 World Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Cuba and Bulgaria will meet in Saturday’s ninth-place match starting at 11:00 (local time). On Friday, they achieved straight-set victories to stay on track for ninth place.

Cuba against Libya

First, Cuba, led by outside Andy Marrero with 15 points, including four aces, managed a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-19) win over Libya. Then, the home team overcame a difficult first set against Mexico to cruise on to a 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-16) shutout.

Libya and Mexico will meet for the 11th place at 13:00 (local time) on Saturday.

Tunisia achieved a 3-1 (19-25, 25-12, 27-25, 25-20) comeback victory over Puerto Rico on

The competition is over for Puerto Rico, who will finish in 15th place without playing on Saturday on a forfeit win over no-show Uzbekistan.

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: schedule and results

Thailand to Host FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025!

August 30, 2024.- The FIVB and Volleyball World are excited to announce that Thailand will host the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship, subject to the guarantees of the Government of Thailand.

The FIVB, Volleyball World and Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) today signed an agreement to host the prestigious event, which will bring together the world’s top 32 women’s national teams as they compete for World Championship glory.

The agreement was signed by FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° and TVA President Somporn Chaibangyang during the Asian Volleyball Confederation Congress, which concludes today in Bangkok. The formalities from the recently elected Thai Government are expected next month, following the formation of the new cabinet.

Thailand’s selection as the host nation followed a rigorous evaluation process among several strong candidates. This decision comes shortly after Bangkok hosted the VNL Finals for the first time, where enthusiastic local fans turned out in large numbers to support their beloved Thai women’s national team and experience elite volleyball firsthand.

Stay tuned for more updates as we look forward to bringing the Volleyball Women’s World Championship 2025 to Thailand for the first time in the competition’s history!

Mexico Defeated Chile and Cuba Overcame Tunisia at Boys’ U17  World Championship

SOFIA, Bulgaria, August 29, 2024.- Mexico defeated Chile, Cuba overcame Tunisia, and Puerto Rico fell to Libya in the playoffs for the positions 9 to 16 of the Boys’ U17  World Championship in Bulgaria.

Mexico beat Chile 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-20), with advantages in attacks (42-34) and blocks (6-3). Chile led in serves (4-2).

Cuba celebrates victory over Tunisia

Ricardo González and Oskar De Jesús González were Mexico’s top scorers with 16 and 11 points, respectively.

Cuba defeated Tunisia 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21). The 15 to 5 advantages in blocks were crucial for Cuba’s victory. They also led in kills (57-48).

With 25 points, Cuba’s team captain Yosdani Medina led all scorers, followed by Andy Marrero with 21 points.

Libya defeated Puerto Rico in dramatic five-sets 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-13). Puerto Rico led in blocks (7-4) and aces (6-4). Libya outperformed in attacks (63-58).

Puerto Rico in action against Libya

Adrián Carrillo and Maximiliano Aponte were Puerto Rico’s top scorers with 10 points each.

On Friday, in the matches for positions 9 to 12, Cuba will face Libya (11:00 am local time), and Mexico will play against Bulgaria (2:00 pm local time). Puerto Rico will meet Tunisia (2:00 pm local time) for positions 13 to 16.

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

First AFECAVOL Central American Men’s Final Four Championship

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, August 29, 2024.- The first edition of the AFECAVOL Central American Men’s Final Four Championship will take place from September 4 to 6 at the 7 de Diciembre “Alfonso Gordillo” Gymnasium in Guatemala City. 

The AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four gathers the four highest-ranked senior teams in Central America from the year prior to the competition, based on the XXII Central American Men’s Championship in 2023: Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and Nicaragua.

The creation of this event, as well as the women’s event which was held earlier this year in Honduras, aims to provide annual competition for the senior category rather than every two years. 

The winner of the AFECAVOL Central American Final Four Championship will qualify for the NORCECA Continental Championship.

Guatemala Senior National Team

Streaming available for Guatemala’s matches (7:30 pm) on Facebook Live:

Confederación Deportiva Autónoma de Guatemala

Streaming available for 5:00 pm matches on Facebook Live:

Federación Nacional De Voleibol Guatemala

The teams are scheduled to arrive on September 2, with preliminaries the following day, and the competition will begin on September 4, featuring two daily matches at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM.

AFECAVOL FINAL FOUR MASCULINO

Competition Schedule:

Wednesday September 4

5:00pm   El Salvador vs Nicaragua

7:30pm   Guatemala vs Belize

Thursday September 5

5:00pm   El Salvador vs Belize

7:30pm   Guatemala vs Nicaragua

Friday September 6

5:00pm   Belize vs Nicaragua

7:30pm   Guatemala vs El Salvador 

Dominican Republic Aims to Defend Title at U23 Women’s Pan American Cup

VERACRUZ, Mexico, August 28, 2024.- Dominican Republic will seek their seventh title at the 2024 U23 Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup, to be held from September 3 to 8 at the Xalapa International Velodrome in Veracruz, Mexico.

Reigning champion Dominican Republic has won the event in each of its six editions and all eyes are set for them to retain their title. Mexico has lost the title match to the Dominican Republic in the last two editions. Argentina has one silver and one bronze medal. Brazil, Colombia, and Peru have one silver medal each, while Cuba has three bronze medals.

The 2024 U23 Women’s Pan American Cup is part of the qualification system towards the 2025 Pan American Junior Games in Asunción, Paraguay.

From the four (4) vacancies granted to NORCECA, two (2) vacancies will be granted to the top two placed teams in the final ranking of the event among NORCECA National Team. The remaining two (2) vacancies will be granted to the two (2) highest ranking teams in the NORCECA U23 Ranking not qualified. The South American Volleyball Confederation, CSV, will establish its own qualification system.

The eight participating teams have been divided in two pools, with Pool A consisting of Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Chile; and host Mexico is in Pool B with Nicaragua, Peru and Suriname.

Preliminary Round Schedule

September 3

2:00pm   Dominican Republic vs Costa Rica

4:00pm    Peru vs Nicaragua

6:00pm   Cuba vs Chile

8:00pm   Mexico v Suriname

September 4

2:00pm   Costa Rica vs Cuba

4:00pm    Peru vs Suriname

6:00pm   Chile vs Dominican Republic

8:00pm   Nicaragua vs Mexico

September 5

2:00pm   Costa Rica vs Chile

4:00pm    Suriname vs Nicaragua

6:00pm   Dominican Republic vs Cuba

8:00pm   Mexico vs Peru

HISTORIC MEDALS WOMEN’S U23 PAN AMERICAN CUP

YEARGOLDSILVERBRONZE
2012DOMBRAARG
2014DOMCOLCUB
2016DOMARGCUB
2018DOMPERCUB
2021DOMMEXPUR
2023DOMMEXARG

MEDAL COMPOSITION

COUNTRYGOLDSILVERBRONZETOTAL
DOM6006
MEX0202
ARG0123
BRA0101
COL0101
PER0101
CUB0033
PUR0011

NORCECA Teams Compete for positions 9 to 16 in Boys’ U17  World Championship

SOFIA, Bulgaria, August 27, 2024.- Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico fell in the Round of 16 and will compete for positions 9 to 16 at the Boys’ U17 World Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria. 

Cuba lost in five sets against Spain, 3-2 (26-24, 19-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-10), with better attack (55-52) but was outblocked (15-10) and gave up more points on errors (36-34). Both teams were tied with five direct service points. 

Mexico against Italy

Cuba’s top scorer was opposite hitter Yosdani Medina with 22 points. 

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

Italy dominated Mexico 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-21). Italy had the advantage in every skill, attacking (40-37), blocking (11-6), and serves (5-2). Mexico committed 19 unforced errors compared to Italy’s 14. 

Opposite hitter Ricardo González and outside hitter Emi Díaz scored 13 and 12 points, for Mexico, respectively.

Puerto Rico celebrates scoring against Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei defeated Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-21, 25-9, 25-18, 25-16). Both teams scored 6 blocking points, Puerto Rico had the advantage in serving (4-2), but Chinese Taipei finished with huge margin in attacks (62-36). 

Adrián Carrillo led Puerto Rico with 12 points. 

The teams will return to action on Thursday, August 29, with classification matches for positions 9 to 16, where Mexico faces Chile (11:00 am local time), Cuba against Tunisia (2:00 pm), and Puerto Rico plays Libya (5:00 pm).

Puerto Rico Earns First Victory in Boys’ U17  World Championship

SOFIA, BULGARIA, August 26, 2024.- Puerto Rico earned its first victory in the Boys’ U17 World Championship being held in Bulgaria after defeating Cuba 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-18) on Monday.

Puerto Rico outperformed the Cubans in blocks 14-8 and in serves 3-2, while both teams were tied in attacks with 34 points each. Puerto Rico capitalized on the 25 unforced Cuban errors.

Emi Yanixan Diaz MEX

Puerto Rico’s captain, Gustavo Antonio Álvarez, led the team in scoring with 16 points, supported by Marcos Gabriel Fernández with 10 points. For Cuba, their captain, Yosdani Medina, was the top scorer with 14 points.

In another NORCECA match, Mexico lost to the host country, Bulgaria, 1-3 (17-25, 21-25, 25-19, 15-25). Mexico’s top scorers were Emi Yanixan Diaz with 13 points and Ricardo González with 12 points.

Gustavo Antonio Alvarez PUR

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

On August 27, the round of 16 will take place with Mexico facing Italy at 2:00 am (Mexico time), Puerto Rico plays against Chinese Taipei at 5:00 am, and the day ends with Cuba facing Spain at 11:00 am.

Bianca Farriol Named Most Valuable Player

LEÓN AND IRAPUATO, Mexico, August 25, 2024.- Argentina’s Bianca Farriol was honored as the Most Valuable Player MVP of the 21st Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup, held from August 18 to 26 in León and Irapuato, Guanajuato.

Middle blocker Bianca Farriol, with 7 stuff blocks in the gold medal match against the United States, led her team to a back-to-back Pan American Cup championship.

Individual Awards

Farriol also received the award for Best Blocker of the event.

From the United States, Veronica Perry was named Second Best Spiker. Kendall Kipp and Claire Hoffman were awarded Best Opposite and Best Receiver, respectively.

Colombian Ana Karina Olaya received the distinction of Best Spiker, and her teammate Camila Gómez was named Best Libero and Best Digger.

Karen Rivera won the Best Setter award, and Grecia Castro was named Best Scorer, both from Mexico.

Candida Arias of the Dominican Republic was recognized as Second Best Blocker, and Cuba’s Dezireth Madame was awarded Best Server.

Argentina Wins Back-to-Back Title at the Women’s Pan American Cup

LEÓN, Mexico, August 25, 2024.- Argentina won their second consecutive Pan American Cup title after defeating the United States 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-19) to claim the gold medal at the 21st edition of the Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup, which concluded in León, Guanajuato on Sunday.

Argentina finished the event with a 7-1 record, with their only loss coming against the United States in the preliminary round. United States finished 6-1, with their only defeat coming against Argentina.

Second Place USA

In the history of the Pan American Cup, Argentina has won two gold medals and three bronze. The U.S. continues to be the most successful team in the Cup with 7 golds, 3 silvers, and 5 bronzes, for an overall of 15 medals.

United States led in kills (39-35), but Argentina held advantages in blocking (12-5), serving (7-1), and limited their errors (12-21) to secure the victory.

With 7 stuff blocks, Bianca Farriol led all scorers with 15 points for Argentina. Bianca Cugno scored 13 points.

Colombia Bronce, Argentina Gold and USA Silver

Veronica Perry of the United States led her team with 13 points. Kendall Kipp and Serena Gray added 10 points each.

Argentina maintained advantage throughout the first set, with Elina Rodríguez as their top scorer. In the second set, Argentina recovered from a three-point deficit (8-11) to never fall behind again; however, with a service error and a kill from Veronica Perry, they lost two set points before taking the 2-0 lead. With the U.S. ahead by five points (10-5), Argentina turned the score around again, enduring tighter plays to finish with the win.

Bianca Farriol, top scorer of Argentina: “We never gave up; we gave our last breath to win the gold medal. I’m very emotional. The loss against them in the group stage helped us become more aggressive, and we were able to study them better.”

Mexico Outclass Puerto Rico for 5th place at Women’s Pan American Cup

IRAPUATO, Mexico, August 25, 2024. – Mexico defeated Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-20, 15-25, 25-19, 25-16) for fifth place in the XXI Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup in Irapuato, Guanajuato.

With strong blocking from Uxue Guereca and Jocelyn Urías, Mexico managed to control Puerto Rico’s attacks, forcing them into unforced errors due to the local team’s effectiveness at the net.

MEX Grecia Castro spikes

Urías finished with five effective blocks, while Guereca added 3, contributing to a total of 14 blocks for Mexico, compared to nine from their opponents. Mexico also outperformed in attacks 55-43 and in serves 3-2, with 26 errors committed compared to 18 from Puerto Rico.

Six Mexican players scored in double digits: Uxue Guereca with 16 points, Jocelyn Urías with 14, María Fernanda Rodríguez with 13, and Grecia Castro and Karina Flores with 12 each. For Puerto Rico, Neira Ortiz contributed 11 points.

MEX Uxue Guereca serves

Jocelyn Urías, captain of Mexico:

“We are happy with our performance, but we know we could have achieved a better result; it just didn’t go our way. We put up good fights in five-set matches against strong teams and came very close. The goal in the end was to adjust, and we managed to do that to win the last two games.”

“Everyone is in good spirits. We overcame the loss to Argentina and finished in a good position. Our season with the national team ends here; now it’s time to return to our clubs, keep preparing, and improve, because next year there are many events like the World Championship, Final Six, and another cup.”

USA Repeats as Men’s Final Six Champion

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 25, 2024: Defending champions USA defeated Canada in four sets today to win the 2024 edition of the Men’s Final Six at the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, Quebec. 

The score 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-22).

Although Canada led with more attack points 48-43 and earned six points to USA’s five on aces; USA dominated in blocking points 14-7 and made fewer errors 25-30.

USA’s Cooper Robinson led all scoring with 16 points (9 attacks, 4 blocks, 3 aces). Zachary Rama and William Rottman contributed 13 points each, also for USA.

Silver Canada

Reeve Gingera led Canada’s scoring effort with 12 points (which included 2 aces).

Canada finished with the silver medal and a record of 4-2. USA won the gold and had a 5-1 record, with their only loss coming against Canada in the round robin.

Team USA’s captain Mason Briggs said: “We had a match earlier in the tournament against Mexico where we had to come back and win that in five, so we were prepped to fight back. We were prepped for them (Canada) to come out hot, and our goal is just to have fun and play together.

“I think we gained a lot of confidence over the tournament. Everyone did their job, and I think the team just really came together to play the best volleyball that we could at the end of the tournament.”

Team USA’s head coach Andy Read: “Two days ago, Canada played a really great match against us, and we went back and looked at it and saw some things we could have been better at. Today we were just a better team. I want to thank Volleyball Canada and NORCECA for putting on such a fabulous tournament. It’s great being back-to-back Final 6 champions.”

Team Canada’s head coach Glenn Hoag: “We’re not necessarily looking at the results. We’re happy to play in the final but you know, it’s all about getting information on those guys for the future. I think we ran out a little bit of energy too. We worked hard to win, to get our wins this week, and I think it drained us a little bit. But overall, a good tournament for us, and a lot of learning with the players that are basically our future.”

Canada Seventh place with straight set win against Chile

IRAPUATO, Mexico, August 25, 2024.- Canada defeated Chile in straight sets 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-20) to secure seventh place at the 21st Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup in Irapuato, Guanajuato. 

Canada struggled in the first two sets against Chilean pressure, who tried to snatch the game, especially with the offensive efforts of Beatriz Novoa and Petra Schwartzman on the sides. Canada managed to close out each set strongly with good serving and the attacking power of Gabrielle Attieh and Abagayle Guezen, which was impossible for Chile’s block to stop. 

CHI Beatriz Novoa spikes

The third set was always in Canada’s favor, Lucy Borowski offense, who finished with 12 points, and 11 from Gabrielle Attieh, along with 10 from Abagayle Guezen. Beatriz Novoa was Chile’s top scorer with 15 points, followed by Petra Schwartzman with 12. 

Canada was better in attack 41-35, in blocking 6-4, as well as in serving 8-3, with 24 unforced errors from the Canadians compared to 20 from the Chileans.

CAN captain Averie Allard

Averie Allard, captain of Canada: “We got better every game and that’s important for us, especially as a younger group. I’m looking forward to LA 2028, that’s our goal. Any win was important, just to acknowledge the things that we’ve made, eleven games in such a short period of time is not easy, but I applaud every person in this team, including staff”.

Shannon Winzer, Head Coach of Canada: “Pan Am Cup is a great tournament, we get to play against some pretty good teams. I think the format is not healthy for players, having to play eight games in eight days is not safe for anyone, but the level of play is getting better every year. Pan Am Cup is a valuable tournament for us because we bring a young team who get great experience against some A teams”.

Second Loss for Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico at the Boys’ U17  World Championship

SOFIA, BULGARIA, August 24, 2024.- ON Sunday 25th, NORCECA teams at the Boys’ U17 World Championship suffered their second defeat in the preliminary round.

Mexico was the first to take the court, facing Spain and falling 0-3 (21-25, 18-25, 24-26). Emi Yanixan Diaz with 17 points and Ricardo González with 13 points were Mexico’s top scorers. 

Immediately after, Cuba fell 0-3 (22-25, 16-25, 15-25) against Argentina. Andy Lázaro Marrero with 11 points was Cuba’s top scorer in the game. 

Emi Yanixan Diaz MEX

In the last match of the day, Italy defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-11). Puerto Rico’s top scorers were Maximiliano Aponte and their captain Gustavo Antonio Álvarez, both with 5 points. 

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

Pool-play concludes on August 26th. In Pool C, Puerto Rico will face Cuba, while Mexico will play against the hosts, Bulgaria, in Pool A.

Colombia Takes Bronze at Women’s Pan Am Cup

LEÓN, Mexico, August 25, 2024.- Colombia won the bronze medal at the 21st Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-14) victory over the Dominican Republic in León, Guanajuato. 

Colombia finished the event with a 4-3 record, while the Dominican Republic ended with a 5-2 record. 

This is Colombia’s second bronze medal in the history of the Cup, the first was won in 2019. Overall, the South Americans have accumulated 3 medals (1 silver, 2 bronze). 

ANA KARINA OLAYA ATTACKS AGAINST DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In the preliminary round, the Dominican Republic had defeated Colombia in five intense sets. 

Colombia built their victory with an advantage in attack (48-30), blocking (7-6), and serving (2-1). Additionally, they committed fewer errors (15-18). 

The top scorers of the match were Colombia’s Dayana Segovia and Laura Grajales with 14 and 13 points respectively. Ana Karina Olaya added 11 points. 

Gaila González was the top scorer for the Dominican Republic with 11 points. 

Colombia Bronce medal

Colombia set the pace and level of intensity throughout the match, stopping the Dominican Republic to counterattack. 

María Alejandra Marín, captain of Colombia: “We knew that the Dominican Republic is a very strong team with a lot of experience, but they are very tired from the international events they have recently played in (VNL, Olympic Games), and it was Colombia’s moment to take advantage. Despite not having trained much, we had a good tournament.” 

Hernán Osorio, coach of Colombia: “We corrected many of the issues from this week and went out to propose a more aggressive game, with more determination, convinced that it was possible to win. The result was very favorable for us; we expected tighter scores because the Dominican Republic is such a strong team, with a lot of experience and Olympic players. For us, the tournament has been about strengthening certain aspects.”

Mexico outlasts Puerto Rico for bronze

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 25, 2024: In a back-and-forth match for the podium, Mexico came out on top and goes home with the bronze medal from the 2024 edition of the Men’s Final Six at the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

The final score was 3-2 (21-25, 25-17, 25-18, 23-25, 15-11).

Mexico led in 59-57 attack points and ace serves 8-6, while Puerto Rico led in blocks 10-9, but made more errors 33-23.

Jamal Ellis Carballo of Puerto Rico led all scoring with 24 points.

Mauro Isaac Fuentes Rascon and Yasutaka Sanay Heredia (with 2 blocks and three aces) each had 17 points for Mexico.

Puerto Rico finishes in fourth position.

Mexico’s head coach Carlos Schwanke said:  “The difference today was they were willing to win… We started in May to try to build a team and after three months, we achieved a bronze medal in an amazing tournament. So I’m happy to end up like that…. We had to change our strategy in the middle of the second set. And this, I think, contributed to us coming back, and also for the guys to believe more, because after the last defeat against Puerto Rico, I thought they were a little bit down. So this is a good achievement for us, and also a really good comeback for the players.”

Mexican player Yasutaka Sanay Heredia #10 : “Our objective here at this tournament was for the gold medal, so we are not fully satisfied.  We still have some details to work out. It is good that we won today and will not go home empty-handed.”

Cuba battles Dominican Republic for fifth place

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 25, 2024: The battle for fifth place ended in Cuba’s favor on final day of the Men’s Final Six at the Slush Puppie Centre arena in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

Despite their best efforts for a comeback, Dominican Republic couldn’t handle the powerful attack of Cuba and the match ended in four sets 1-3 (19-25, 36-34, 24-26, 21-25).

Cuba held the advantage in attack points (68-59), blocks (13-10), and Dominican Republic had one more ace than the winning side (5-4). Errors were similar (26-25) with Cuba making one more error.

Cuba celebrate

Víctor Andreu Flores of Cuba led all scorers with 29 points (25 attack points, three blocks and an ace).

Adrián Figueroa Lantigua led the Dominican side with 23 points, followed by teammate Hector Alexis Cruz Cepin with 19 points.

Dominican Republic finishes sixth overall.

Cuba’s head coach Jesus Angel Cruz Lopez said in the post-match interview: “Ultimately, we finished in fifth place, which wasn’t the position we expected in this tournament, but we ended with a victory. We didn’t just win one game; we won two. It wasn’t a good tournament for this group of athletes, but this serves as an analysis for future competitions for the athletes and for their individual preparation.”

Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico Start with Defeats in the Boys’ U17 World Championship

SOFIA, BULGARIA, August 24, 2024.- The Boys’ U17 World Championship kicked off this Saturday with Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico representing NORCECA, all three teams starting with defeats.

In Pool A, Mexico was the first to play, losing 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-17) to Chinese Taipei. Emi Yanixan Diaz was the top scorer for Mexico with 12 points. On Sunday, they face Spain at 11:00 AM local time.

Emi Yanixan Diaz MEX

FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

In Pool C, Argentina defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-22), and Italy beat Cuba 3-1 (25-23, 24-26, 25-15, 25-12). On Sunday, the NORCECA representatives will switch opponents, with Cuba playing Argentina at 2:00 PM and Puerto Rico facing Italy at 8:00 PM (local time).

For Puerto Rico, the top scorer was Dylan Jomar López with 11 points, while Cuban captain Yosdani Medina was their top scorer with 10 points.

Mexico and Puerto Rico in the Top Ten of the Girls’ U17 World Championship

LIMA, Peru, August 24, 2024. – Mexico and Puerto Rico finished in the eighth and ninth positions, respectively, at the inaugural edition of the Girls’ FIVB U17 Women’s World Championship, which concluded on Saturday in Lima, Peru.

Mexico secured the eighth place after falling to Turkey 1-3 (17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-25), while Puerto Rico defeated Argentina 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-21) to claim the ninth position.

Opposite Rubí Zúñiga was the top scorer for Mexico, and opposite Decelise Champion of Puerto Rico led the scoring in the match against Argentina.

Decelise Annalee Champion PUR

Canada won an exciting five-set match 3-2 (25-19, 27-25, 25-27, 20-25, 15-13) against Egypt to finish in 13th place. Middle blocker Dara Obeid and outside hitter Ana Stojanovic each scored 21 points in the victory.

The Dominican Republic finished in 15th place after a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-20) victory over Ecuador. The top scorer of the match was Dominican Yamil Moya, who scored 15 points.

China won the gold medal match to Japan 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-18) and Italy beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22) in the bronze medal match.

FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship: match schedule

USA Nicholas Slight MVP at NORCECA Men’s Final Six

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 25, 2024: Nicholas Slight, USA’s setter, received the Most Valuable Player Award at the 2024 edition of the Men’s Final Six at the Slush Puppie Centre in Gatineau, Quebec.

Also from the United States, DiAeris McRaven was awarded as Second Blocker, Cooper Robinson Best Server and Mason Briggs Best Receiver.

From Canada, Mason Greves was named the Best Setter and Trent Cherewaty Best Blocker.

Dominican Jose Figueroa was the Best Opposite and Best Scorer. His teammate Hector Cruz the second Best Spiker.

Hiram Bravo and Franky Adrian Hernandez of Mexico the Best Digger and Best Spiker respectively.

Puerto Rico’s Dennis Del Valle named Best Libero.

Argentina to Defend Its Title Against the United States

LEÓN, Mexico, August 24, 2024.- Argentina will defend its title against the United States after defeating Colombia 3-1 (15-25, 28-26, 25-18, 25-23) in the semifinal of the Women’s Senior Pan American Volleyball Cup on Saturday in León, Guanajuato.

Argentina will defend its title on Sunday at 6:00 pm (local time) against the United States. Argentina won the Women’s Pan American Cup for the first time in history last year in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Colombia will compete for the bronze medal against the Dominican Republic at 3:00 pm. In the group stage, the Dominican Republic defeated Colombia in five sets.

MONSTER BLOCK FROM DAYANA SEGOVIA (COL) AGAINST ARG

A 15-8 advantage in blocking points was crucial for Argentina’s victory, along with a 6-2 lead in service points. Colombia finished with an advantage of 55-52 in kills and committed fewer errors, 20-27.

Argentina’s opposite, Bianca Cugno, was the top scorer of the match with 21 points. Dalma Pérez contributed 14 points, Bianca Farriol 13, and Candelaria Herrera 12, with the trio combining for 12 blocking points.

Ana Karina Olaya led Colombia with 19 points, followed by Valerin Carabali with 15 points and Dayana Segovia with 10.

Colombia started strong, taking the first set comfortably 25-15, with Valerin Carabali and Melissa Rangel leading in offense. Argentina regained territory with an extended score in the second set, after losing two set points to Dayana Segovia, but the attacks by Bianca Cugno and the blocks by Dalma Pérez and Candelaria Herrera tied the match. In the third set, Argentina dominated with five blocks, three by Herrera and two by Cugno, and outperformed Colombia in attacks 15-10. Tied at 23 points in the fourth set, an attack error by Ana Karina gave Argentina the match point, which Pérez sealed with a block over Segovia.

VICTORIA MAYER ATTACKS FOR ARGENTINA

Victoria Mayer, captain of Argentina: “It was a match worthy of a semifinal. As we’ve been doing throughout the tournament, we kept growing. There was a lot of rotation, and every player on the court and those who came off the bench gave everything they had. We bounced back from losing the first set with grit and team unity, which is key for us. Tomorrow will surely be a great match against the United States.”

Facundo Morando, coach of Argentina: “After losing the first set, we adjusted with blocking; we figured out how to block their opposite (Dayana Segovia) and neutralize Ana Karina, who has a very powerful attack, hitting very high and hard. Colombia did well, adjusting the rotation to target Vicky, but as always, and as it has been throughout the tournament, the team held strong and secured the victory.”

Cuba Swept Peru to Finish Ninth place

IRAPUATO, Mexico, August 24, 2024. – Cuba triumphed over Peru in straight sets 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-21) to secure ninth place in the 21st Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup.

Cuba dominated the match with a 43-30 advantage in kills and an 8-5 margin in blocks, but Peru performed better in service 6-4. However, Peru committed 20 errors compared to Cuba’s 12.

Peru put pressure on Cuba with their serves at the start of the game, keeping the score close until the point 10, after which Cuba took the lead with two streaks of four consecutive points to take the first set.

CUB winner

Cuba was more decisive in the second set, with an advantage of 13-8 in attacks, 3-0 in blocking, and 3-1 in service, with Evilania Martínez scoring 7 points in that set.

Peru tried to extend the match with strong serving, managing 34 direct points and a total of 7 points from Karla Ortiz, but it wasn’t enough against Cuba’s solid performance, which ended strongly with blocking.

Yalain de la Peña and Evilania Martínez led Cuba with 15 points each, while Dezirett Madan contributed 11 points. For Peru, Karla Ortiz scored 11 points.

Cuba had finished in fourth place in Pool B, defeating Chile and Costa Rica, but lost the classification match for positions 7-10 against Canada. Peru finished fourth in Pool A, with victories over Dominican Republic and Suriname, but fell to Chile in five thrilling sets in the classification match.

Mexico beats Canada at Final Six

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 24, 2024:Mexico secured a spot in the bronze-medal match after a win over Canada at the Men’s Final Six at the Slush Puppie Centre arena in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Mexico beat Canada in four sets 3-1 (25-21, 25-23, 25-27, 25-21).

Attack points were even at 57; Canada had the advantage in blocks (10-8) and Mexico the slight advantage in serves 5-4.  Mexico capitalized on Canada’s errors 21-30.

This was Mexico’s third win of the tournament.

Franky Hernández Milantony was Mexico’s top scorer with 18 points. Mauro Fuentes Rascón followed with 15 points.

Captain Zachary Hollands of Canada had a match-high 22 points, while Dylan Martens contributed 19 points.

Mexico will face Puerto Rico for bronze on Sunday. Canada (4-1) will face the USA for the gold medal in the final.

Mexico’s head coach Carlos Schwanke commented: “We had a chance today as Canada did not play its starters. We took the opportunities we had to win the match; we played well from the beginning of the match and bet on our serve, and it worked.  Tomorrow is the bronze medal match and we’re going to fight for it.”

Mexico Struggles to Defeat Chile and Will Face Puerto Rico for Fifth Place

IRAPUATO, Mexico, August 24, 2024 – Mexico recovered from losing the third set to win 3-1 (28-26, 25-12, 22-25, 25-14) against Chile and will play for fifth place in the 21st Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup against Puerto Rico.

Mexico will face Puerto Rico for fifth place in the Cup, while Chile will play against Canada for seventh place.

Mexico struggled in the first set but used their experience, with two good defenses and counterattacks with hits from Uxue Guereca and Grecia Castro, to take the set 28-26.

MEX winner

The second set was an easy win for Mexico, pulling ahead from the start, but in the third, they struggled from the beginning with Chile leading 8-1, then 18-13. Mexico put pressure on at 19-18, but Beatriz Novoa, Petra Schwartzman, and María Nielsen managed to finish the set, reducing the set score to 1-2.

Once again, in the fourth set, Mexico showed their strength and secured the match in front of a good number of fans who came to the Inforum in Irapuato to support their team.

Mexico outperformed Chile in attacks 61-47, in blocking 10-4 (with four from Jocelyn Urias), and in service aces 6-3, with both teams committing 23 errors.

CHI Schwartzman spikes

Grecia Castro, with 21 points, was Mexico’s top scorer, Jocelyn Urias finished with 15, and María Rodríguez added 12 points. For Chile, Beatriz Novoa scored 17 points, and Petra Schwartzman finished with 16.

Jocelyn Urias, captain of Mexico: “We really wanted to finish the match in three sets, but we struggled in the third. I think we got a bit overconfident, but in the fourth set, we were able to refocus and secure the win. We really appreciate the support from the fans; of course, I would love for more people to come to watch our matches, but we are happy with the support, both here and in León”.

Nicola Negro, coach of Mexico: “We are happy with the victory; we didn’t play our best game. Yesterday against Argentina, I think we played our best game of the Cup so far, but we didn’t get the win. Today we felt a bit of fatigue, the seventh day, seven games, and we had a mix of good and not-so-good moments.”

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