COLIMA, Mexico, June 18, 2024. – Cuba opened the Boys’ U17 Pan American Cup with a decisive 3-0 win (25-14, 25-17, 25-12) against Nicaragua at the Multifunctional Auditorium in Colima, Mexico.
With a dominant performance in kills (38-22), blocks (8-3), and service points (13-3), Cuba secured their first victory in pool B. Cuba committed 15 errors while Nicaragua had 16.
Cuba (1-0) will wrap up the preliminary round on Wednesday against Puerto Rico (1-0); the winner will advance directly to Friday’s semifinals. Nicaragua finished pool B with an 0-2 record and will compete in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Three Cuban outside hitters led the offense with double-digit points. Byron Herrera scored 14 points from 10 attacks, 2 blocks, and 2 aces; Andy Marrero contributed 12 points from 10 attacks and 2 blocks; and Samuel Rodríguez added 12 points from 6 attacks and a match-high of 6 aces.
Nicaragua’s middle blocker Keneth Urtecho scored 9 points for his team.
In the second set, Nicaragua surprised Cuba by tying the score at 12 points thanks to the efforts of Joaquín Padilla and Ismael Martínez, but Cuba closed strong.
Cuban team captain Yosdani Medina said, “We were more decisive at the start. We are getting into rhythm as we prepare for the World Championship, and today everyone had the chance to play and get warmed up. Tomorrow we will come out strong against Puerto Rico. We are very united and combined with our attacking power”.
Nicaraguan setter Axel Aribzu commented, “We had ups and downs; we lacked defense and better cohesion because we just joined from playing in the U21 tournament. We know we will do better; we are already in the quarterfinals and need more consistency in our attack.”
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