POZA RICA, Mexico, November 7, 2023.- Cuba used a 15-3 serve advantage to defeat Nicaragua 3-0 (25-6, 25-18, 25-13) in their opening match at the NORCECA Boys’ U17 Championship at Miguel Hidalgo Gymnasium in Poza Rica, Mexico.
The first edition of the continental championship qualifies four NORCECA teams to the 2024 FIVB age-group championship.
Besides points from serves, Cuba also led Nicaragua 32-15 in kills and 9-3 in blocks. Cuba committed 16 unforced errors and Nicaragua 19.
Setter Yosdani Medina scored 16 points for Cuba, on 9 kills, 2 blocks and a match-high of 5 aces. Outside hitters Andy Marrero and Samuel Rodriguez added 9 and 7 points respectively.
Nicaragua’s opposite hitter Axel López scored 8 points, joined by middle blocker Ismael Martínez with 5 points.
Cuba’s (1-0) next match in Pool B is against Dominican Republic (0-1) and Nicaragua (0-1) faces Puerto Rico (1-0).
Regarding the victory, Cuba’s captain, Byron Herrera, said, “It was a very intense start for the team; it’s our first match representing our country, and we are very satisfied with the win. The attitude we had in the game was the team’s best skill. We need to stay strong throughout the championship and make fewer errors”.
Nicaragua’s captain, Axel Arbizu, said, “We started off weak because we were aware of Cuba’s strength and height, while we lack height. But in the second set, we managed to calm our nerves, and in the third, we adapted better. We need to improve our communication and understanding on the court”.
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