SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 8, 2023.- Dominican middle blocker Jineiry Martinez was named the Most Valuable Player MVP of the Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the twenty fourth edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023.
Jineiry Martínez received the MVP recognition and the 1st Best Blocker award during the closing ceremony after “Las Reinas del Caribe” won their Sixth consecutive Gold Medal at the CAC Games.
Dominican Republic was distinguished with the awards for 1st Best Spiker to Brayelin Martinez, 2nd Best Blocker to Geraldine Gonzalez, Best Setter to Niverka Marte, Best Opposite and Best Scorer to Gaila Gonzalez, and the Best Receiver to Brenda Castillo.
Elaine Vazquez of Puerto Rico, who won the silver medal of the Games, was named the 2nd Best Spiker.
Colombian Juliana Toro was distinguished with the awards of Best Libero and Best Digger; and Mexican Jocelyn Urías as the Best Server.
Women’s Individual Awards San Salvador 2023 CAC Games
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 8, 2023.- Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-16) to win their Sixth Women’s Volleyball consecutive Title in a row in Central American and Caribbean Games at the 24th edition of San Salvador 2023 at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
This is “Las Reinas del Caribe” overall eighth title, with a winning streak of sixth in a row that started here in San Salvador in 2002. Dominican Republic is now tied in the historical record of gold medals at the CAC Games with Cuba.
This is Puerto Rico’s sixth silver medal, having lost to Dominican Republic on five occasions and one to Mexico.
Dominican Republic celebrates
Dominican Republic outplayed Puerto Rico with a comfortable 43 to 35 margin in attacks and a huge advantage of 13 to three in blocks. Both teams scored one point on serves. Dominicans handed out 15 points on unforced errors and Puerto Rico totalized 18.
Marcos Kweik, Head Coach of Dominican Republic: “We are happy, we came with a big responsibility to defend our title because of the team we brought. We have done serious work to keep the gold medal”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 8, 2023.- Cuba beat Colombia 3-0 (25-22, 28-26, 25-22) to win the Bronze Medal in Women’s Volleyball at the 24th Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023 at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Cuba with a 3-2 record won their second bronze medal in the history of the event, their first was during the 2014 Veracruz Games.
Cuba won a battled first set and then went on to win the second coming from a two-point deficit the entire set in a thrilling party of points, with Ailama Cese scoring the winning point 28-26 on a kill. Cuba again came from behind in the third set, recovering from a six-point deficit (12-18) and reaching an even 21, with Diaris Perez scoring the match point on a block.
Cuba led on a huge 56 to 33 attacking point advantage and on a comfortable 10 to 6 margins in blocks. Colombia did better in points from serves (5-1) and limited their errors to 11 against 26.
Three players scored double digits in Cuba’s bronze medal win, outside hitters Diaris Perez and Ailama Cese with 16 points each, and middle blocker Dezirett Madan who contributed with 13 points.
Cuba celebrates winning the Bronze Medal
Colombia’s offense was led by outside hitter Ana Karina Olaya with 16 points, followed by Melissa Rangel and Valerin Carabali with 9 and 7 points respectively.
Tomás Fernández Arteaga, Head Coach of Cuba: “We were coming for a medal, and we reached our goal. Yesterday during the semifinal, it went uphill against one of the best teams in the world and what we did was to recover the team so they could battle in a more accessible match today for the bronze medal. We prepared the group in every element of the game to reach our goal”.
María Alejandra Marin, Captain of Colombia: “Cuba was offensive in serves and we failed a lot in receiving. They were more aggressive in attacks than us and that’s today’s result. Congratulations to Cuba that did well”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 8, 2023.- Mexico beat Costa Rica 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-18) to finish fifth place in Women’s Volleyball at the 24th Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023.
Mexico finished with a 3-2 record and Costa Rica with 1-4 for fifth and sixth place respectively.
Middle blocker Jocelyn Urias led Mexico with 14 points (11 kills, one block, two aces) , followed by outside hitter Melanie Parra who added 13 attacking points.
Costa Rica’s leading scorers were outside hitter Tamara Espinoza with 13 points (12 kills, one ace) and opposite Tatiana Sayles with 10 points from kills.
Mexico held advantages in every element of the game, kills (49-33), blocks (8-0) and points from serves (7-1). Costa Rica limited their errors to 11 against 21 from Mexico.
Andrea Rangel, MEX, attacks
Joseline Landeros, Libero of Mexico: “This wasn’t the tournament we expected, we had other results in mind. We are leaving with the things we must work on, and we will do it with all the energy towards what’s next. We are in a new process with a new coach, we only have one month together, and we are all adjusting to his vision of what he expects from us”.
Pablo Acuña, Head Coach of Costa Rica: “After yesterday’s match against El Salvador the players and myself weren’t satisfied so for today each one had personal goals. Today we were able to have a presence on the court and improve in executing”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 8, 2023.- Trinidad & Tobago took seventh place at the Women’s Volleyball tournament of the 24th Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador after defeating El Salvador 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-23).
Both teams end the event with 1-4 win-loss record, Trinidad & Tobago seventh and host El Salvador eighth.
Trinidad & Tobago faced off El Salvador in their opening match, but today was a different outcome. Trinidad & Tobago overwhelmed El Salvador with a huge 12 to 4 points from blocks and 11 to two in aces. They also held a 56 to 41 advantage in attacks but handed out 36 points from unforced errors against 19.
Outside hitter Channon Thompson of Trinidad & Tobago led all scorers with 23 points on 18 kills and five impressive aces. Opposite Krystle Esdele joined in the victory with 19 points, followed by middle blocker Kaylon Cruickshank with 12 points, including a match-high of 6 blocks.
Outside hitter Gabriela Funes and team captain Adriana Flores led El Salvador with 15 and 11 points respectively.
Saleem Ali, Head Coach of Trinidad & Tobago: “Coming here was a little difficult, in the first match against El Salvador we lacked practice. Today we shivered all together, we improved our level to finish”.
Andrea Genova, Entrenador de El Salvador: “We gained a lot of experience. We won the first match against Trinidad & Tobago and today it was a more balanced performance, in the world ranking they are higher than us. It’s a beginning for us, we are satisfied with the work because we have a little time together”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 7, 2023.- Puerto Rico beat Colombia 3-1 (25-23, 25-15, 8-25, 25-18) in semifinals to reach the Women’s Volleyball tournament Gold Medal match at the 2023 San Salvador Central American Games.
Puerto Rico (4-1) will battle for the CAC gold against reigning champions Dominican Republic who earlier won their semifinal match to Cuba who will play Colombia (3-2) in the bronze medal match.
Puerto Rico has reached the title match on five other occasions since the inception of the Games, losing four of them to the Dominican Republic and one to Mexico.
Puerto Rico trailed on six points (19-23) to win the first set 25-23 with spectacular defense only to go on into the second to storm past Colombia with a comfortable advantage. The third set was a totally different story, where Colombia entirely controlled after showing a significant improvement finishing with a huge advantage 25-8. In the fourth and final set, Puerto Rico reached a comfortable five-point lead (18-13) , impossible for Colombia to catch up.
Despite Colombia’s comfortable 12 to 6 margin in blocks, a slight advantage in points from aces 3-2 and committing fewer unforced errors, 22 against 26, Puerto Rico was the one to progress into the gold medal match scoring 53 attacking points against 40.
Puerto Rico celebrates moving into the Gold Medal Match
Opposite Brittany Abercrombie of Puerto Rico scored a match-high of 21 points on 20 kills and one ace. Outside hitter Elaine Vazquez also contributed to the win with 14 attacking points. Middle blocker Paola Rojas added 9 points, 4 of them from blocks.
Colombia’s opposite hitter Dayana Segovia and outside hitter Ana Karina Olaya scored 16 points each. Dayana on 10 kills and four blocks; Ana Karina on 15 kills and one ace. Middle blocker Valerin Carabali also scored double digits, adding 10 points from kills.
Shara Venegas, Captain of Puerto Rico: “We had a good preparation, the team was focused, and we didn’t lose composure, even if we lost the third set by a huge score, they played well. In the fourth set we showed experience, we were calm and confident to come out with the victory”.
Fernando Morales, Head Coach of Puerto Rico: “Goal succeeded, we wanted to reach the final and rematch Dominican Republic, we are going to give our all against a great team. I told my girls that they needed to be aggressive from the first set because we were used to it coming out of a competitive group, it worked to move forward. I don’t know what happened in the third set, but the bench did a good job giving our starters a rest so they could mentally reset and come back strong”.
Antonio Rizola, Head Coach of Colombia: “We were up by four points in the first set, that first set represented a lot for the team, it decided the outcome. I am happy with the team; we have four athletes who aren’t starters and they represented Colombia well”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 7, 2023.- The North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation NORCECA, handed out new uniforms for International Referees from the NORCECA Confederation during the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023.
The idea was presented by the NORCECA Referee Commission and approved by the Executive Committee and Board of Administration of NORCECA who decided to create the new uniform for International NORCECA Referees.
The new design is due to modernize the Referee’s clothing, which went through a selection of several designs which will give greater comfort and attractiveness to International Referees during continental championships organized by the NORCECA Confederation.
On the occasion of the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games the first uniforms were delivered to the International Referees appointed to the Games by NORCECA First Vice President Ariel Sainz and General Director of NORCECA Arateide Cáceres.
The uniform delivery will be carried out progressively to all National Federations members of NORCECA and so that all NORCECA International Referees wear the new clothing during all NORCECA continental championships.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 7, 2023.- Reigning champion Dominican Republic is headed to win their eighth Central American and Caribbean Games Gold Medal, sixth in a row after defeating Cuba 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-15) in semifinals of the twenty fourth edition of the Games San Salvador 2023.
Dominicans remains undefeated (4-0) and will battle for their eighth Gold Medal against the winner of the other semifinal between Colombia and Puerto Rico. If they face Colombia, it will be a rematch of the past editions’ final in Barranquilla 2018 Games. Cuba will play for the bronze medal against the losers.
The stats of the match were all tipped to the Dominican side. “Las Reinas del Caribe” were two points short in doubling over Cuba in points from attacks (40-24), they held a huge 16 to 5 advantage in blocks and scored five points from serves to none. Cuba committed fewer unforced errors, 14 against 18.
Middle blocker Jineiry Martinez scored an impressive 11 points from blocks of her overall 16 points, carrying her team into the final match. Opposite hitter Gaila Gonzalez added 15 points on 14 kills and three blocks, while outside hitter Yonkaira Peña contributed with 14 points on 11 kills, one block and two aces.
Cuban outside hitter Ailama Cese led her team with seven points, joined by Diaris Pérez and middle blocker Dayana Martínez with 6 and 5 respectively.
Yonkaira Peña, DOM, spikes
Niverka Marte, Captain of Dominican Republic: “We tried to commit the smallest number of unforced errors as possible, we tried to keep Cuba under pressure because they have an aggressive attack. Today Dominican Republic played well, we kept the control”.
Marcos Kwiek, Head Coach of Dominican Republic: “We have worked won match at a time, for today we studied Cuba. We always believe that the next match is harder. Now we must rest, study videos of our opponents and perform well tomorrow”.
Gretell Moreno, Captain of Cuba: “We must keep on growing in volleyball up to Dominicans level. We must continue to work, be patient and limit our unforced errors. We learn from facing opponents that challenge us. Physically we are at the same level, our disadvantage against them is the time they have on court”.
Tomás Fernández Arteaga, Head Coach of Cuba: “The team had intensity for moments during the match, showing they can, but the opponent that had a better level of play didn’t let them keep it. My players tried, but they committed unforced errors, and they moved forward, which then it’s harder to recover from when they go back to their intensity. We are going to see the next semifinal to study our next opponent”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 7, 2023.- Costa Rica beat El Salvador 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-14) to face Mexico for fifth place of the Women’s Volleyball tournament at the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Costa Rica dominated the classification match for positions 5 to 8 against host El Salvador and on Saturday they will battle Mexico for fifth place in the Games. El Salvador will face Trinidad & Tobago for positions seven and eight.
Costa Rica held superiority scoring 32 points from attacks, against 12; they also held a huge 11 to three margin in points from serves. Both teams scored 2 points on blocks. Costa Rica committed two points less from unforced errors than El Salvador (28-30).
Outside hitter Tamara Espinoza led Costa Rica with 13 points, scoring 5 points from aces, in addition to 7 kills and one block. Middle blocker María Fernanda Alfaro contributed with 11, also on 5 points from serves, 5 kills and one block. Opposite hitter Tatiana Sayles added 10 points.
Melissa Campos, CRC, pass the ball
Marcela Araya, Captain of Costa Rica: “We are glad to have won the match that progressed us to battle for the fifth place of the Games. At moments we lack consistency, sometimes we play well and sometimes we don’t. We found a better rhythm of play compared to our previous outings, I hope that helps us for tomorrow”.
Adriana Flores, Captain of El Salvador: “This helps us to have a better view of the team because our main competition is Central America. Our is new and it helps him to know the type of volleyball in our area and that way we can improve our tactical game. Our reception failed too much in this game”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 7, 2023.- Mexico defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-22) and aims to a fifth place finish in Women’s Volleyball of the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games.
Mexico will play for fifth place in the event on Saturday, against the winner between host El Salvador and Costa Rica, and the losers go up against Trinidad & Tobago for seventh place.
Trinidad & Tobago had momentum in leading the third set with a four-point advantage (11-7) until Mexico gained territory once again to finish in straight sets.
Mexico finished with a huge 47 to 20 advantage in points from attacks and an 8-1 margin in aces. Trinidad & Tobago outplayed Mexico in blocks 7-4 and committed fewer errors, 16 against 27.
Three players from Mexico scored double digits, led by outside hitter Melanie Parra (15 points), middle blocker Karina Flores (13 points) and outside hitter Grecia Castro (10 points). Middle blocker Jocelyn Urias scored a match-high of 4 aces.
Opposite hitter Krystle Esdelle led Trinidad & Tobago with 8 points and team captain, middle blocker Jalicia Ross added 7.
Melanie Parra, MEX attacks
Karina Flores, Middle blocker of Mexico: “Trinidad & Tobago improved in system in the third set, and we lacked focus, they took advantage of that. Tomorrow we are going for fifth place, we wanted to win a medal, but it wasn’t possible because of different circumstances. We must improve, we have a long summer of seven tournaments, and we want to take out the most of our new coach Nicola Negro”.
Krystle Esdelle, Top scorer of Trinidad & Tobago: “We didn’t want to give in, I was motivating the team to keep pushing for every point, to play and enjoy the game. Tomorrow I would like our team to bring higher energy, to focus and give one hundred percent no matter what the outcome is”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 6, 2023.- Colombia beat El Salvador 3-0 (25-6, 25-11, 25-5) to reach the semifinal against Puerto Rico undefeated in the Women’s Volleyball tournament of the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Colombia topped Pool B with a 3-0 record to advance into the semifinals to face Puerto Rico who finished second in Pool A. Host El Salvador 1-2 finished third place and will play in the classification round for positions 5 to 8, starting against Central American rival Costa Rica.
In the other semifinal, defending champion Dominican Republic plays against Cuba.
Colombia’s serves were too much for El Salvador, totalizing with 12 aces to none. The South Americans also held a huge 32-16 advantage in attacking points and in points from blocks 7-0, while scoring on 24 opponent errors to six.
Opposite Dayana Segovia of Colombia topped all scorers with 13 points on 11 kills and two points from serves. Middle blocker Melissa Rangel and outside hitter Laura Grajales added 7 and 6 points respectively.
Outside hitters Gabriela Funes and Daniela López scored 6 points each for El Salvador.
Dayana Segovia, COL, attacks
Antonio Rizola, Head Coach of Colombia: “We advanced in first place of our group. We performed seriously, with respect to all our opponents. We didn’t make changes just to make them, everyone played and contributed. Tomorrow is a new championship, the semifinal against Puerto Rico, who today didn’t play with all his team waiting to face us and we to face them”.
Andrea Genova, Head Coach of El Salvador: “We knew which was going to be today’s outcome, Colombia is number 14 in the world. It was hard. Our tournament was to compete against our direct opponents Trinidad & Tobago in the preliminary round and now in the next round against Costa Rica, an important match which we must battle hard to reach to play for the fifth place”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 6, 2023.- Defending champion Dominican Republic won Pool A over Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 22-25, 25-21) and both move into the Women’s Volleyball semifinals of the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games.
Dominicans (3-0) undefeated and Puerto Rico (2-1) as first and second place of Pool A respectively reach the semifinals; it’s most likely they will face Cuba and Colombia respectively (second and first place of Pool B) as there is still one match left of that pool.
Dominican Republic used all its players while Puerto Rican setter Vilmarie Rivera and outside hitter Paola Santiago couldn’t perform due to minor health issues.
Dominicans outblocked Puerto Rico 15 to 9 and held a considerable 5-3 margin in aces. Puerto Rico finished with a slight 48 to 47 advantage in points from kills. Dominicans scored on 30 unforced opponent errors against 21.
Middle blocker Jineiry Martinez led Dominicans offense over the net, scoring 6 blocking points from her overall 18 points, in addition to 11 points from kills and one ace. Outside hitter Yonkaira Peña and opposite hitter Gaila Gonzalez contributed with 13 points each. Yonkaira produced 11 kills, one block and one ace, while Gaila scored 8 points from kills, three on blocks and two aces.
On Puerto Rico’s side, Outside hitter Pilar Victoria led her team with 17 points on 15 kills, one block and one ace, alongside opposite hitter Génesis Collazo who tallied 10 points. Outside hitter Elaine Vazquez added 9 points on kills.
Geraldine Gonzalez, DOM, celebrates
Marcos Kwiek, Head Coach of Dominican Republic: “Their coach moved his players and so did us, it was only a qualification match. What’s important is the next two days. It was good to give our bench players an opportunity because we’re going to need them”.
Fernando Morales, Head Coach of Puerto Rico: “Wilmarie has some stomach issues and we decided to preserve her for tomorrow’s semifinal, as well as Paola Santiago who has a muscle pain, we battled. We were able to see everyone in action. The six who were on court battled all the time. We know that Dominican Republic is one of the best teams in the world, we can’t ask for more. We hope to win our semifinal match tomorrow and have a rematch in the final”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 6, 2023.- Mexico finished Pool A in third place after defeating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-13) in Women’s Volleyball at the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games.
Mexico earned their first tournament win to finish the preliminary round 1-2, Costa Rica 0-3. Both teams will play the classification round for positions 5 to 8. Mexico starts against Trinidad & Tobago and Costa Rica will confirm if they face El Salvador.
México had no difficulties in prevailing over the Central American team with a huge advantage in attacking points (37-19). The also led 6 to 4 in points from block and 7 to 1 in aces, handing out 16 points from unforced errors against 25.
Team captain Andrea Rangel, alongside outside hitter Melanie Parra scored 10 points each for Mexico. Aimé Topete, who came from the bench in the first set added 7 points.
Opposite hitter Tatiana Sayles of Costa Rica was the top scorer of the match with 13 points.
Grecia Castro, MEX, spikes
Nicola Negro, Head Coach of Mexico: “The team is growing every day, facing different opponents. I believe the first day against Puerto Rico we paid a high price. It was our first match together and the first of the season, we came with little rhythm, and we improved until the third set. Against Dominican Republic, it was a positive performance against an elite team and today the team was alert and focused”.
Pablo Acuña, Head Coach of Costa Rica: “These were three difficult matches, our attack is what has suffered the most, clearly because of the serves and the level of blocking of our opponents, we haven’t been effective. Now we must focus on El Salvador, a direct opponent of our zone and we must study them well, we will face it seriously”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 6, 2023.- Cuba beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-17) to improve their record 2-1 in Pool B of the Women’s Volleyball tournament at the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games on Thursday.
Cuba (2-1) is one step closer to reaching the semifinals, they have to wait for the result between Colombia (2-0) and El Salvador (1-1). Trinidad & Tobago ends Pool B in fourth place and will play the classification round for positions 5 to 8.
With a considerable improvement from their previous performances, Trinidad & Tobago was able to keep the score close to halfway in all three sets.
Cuba was superior in attacking points by far (48-23), while finishing with slight advantages in blocks (6-5) and points from serves (4-3). Trinidad & Tobago committed fewer errors (17-19).
Cuban opposite Yensy Kindelan, outside hitter Diaris Pérez and middle blocker Jessica Aguilera scored 10 points each for their teams’ victory.
Channon Thompson of Trinidad & Tobago led all scorers collecting 11 points (8 kills, 3 blocks).
Channon Thompson, TTO, spikes
Yensy Kindelan, Top scorer of Cuba: “I consider it was mostly errors on our side which kept the scores close; we committed 6 to 7 errors per set, that was the difficulty because after each error came consecutive points from their side. We adjusted and it will be harder in the next round because the opponent will be superior, Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico”.
Tomás Fernández Arteaga, Head Coach of Cuba: “My team was overconfident. Experienced players performed at our opponents’ level of play, and we committed unforced errors, which depended on our side. For me the next match is a transition to move into the bronze medal match because I believe we will face Dominican Republic, the best team in the competition”.
Channon Thomson, Top scorer of Trinidad & Tobago: “Our team had a considerable improvement. Now, we are in a process of development, rebuilding, after we qualified to the World Championship in 2018, unfortunately the continuity of the program broke. It’s going to take some time, it’s going to take losing many games, but in losing we can evaluate and go back to the drawing board and learn to play better”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 5, 2023.- Cuba claimed their first tournament win defeating ElSalvador 3-0 (25-19, 25-6, 25-10) in the Women’s Volleyball tournament of the Central American and Caribbean Games on Wednesday at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Cuba with a 1-1 record in Pool B will end the preliminary round on Thursday against Trinidad & Tobago 0-2. Host El Salvador 1-1 will face Colombia who stands first place with 2-0.
The first and second place of each Pool will advance into Saturday’s semifinals; third and fourth place will play a classification round for positions 5 to 8.
Cuba stormed past El Salvador with a huge 34 advantage in attacks against 18, an impressive blocking advantage of 17 to one and a 9-1 margin in points in serves.
Opposite Dezirett Madan led Cuba on a match-high of 13 points on 9 kills, three blocks and one ace, followed by middle blocker Jessica Aguilera with 10 points on 5 kills, the most blocking points with 4 and one ace. Outside hitter Ailama Cese with 9 points.
Team captain of El Salvador, outside hitter Adriana Flores scored 6 attacking points and middle blocker Fabiola Venegas added 5 points.
Diaris Perez, CUB, blocks
Gretell Moreno, Captain of Cuba: “Yesterday we didn’t perform to the best of our abilities and today we were confident to work much better, we played strong, but we committed too many unforced errors, we keep on working on them. We hope that advancing into the next round we can correct, because we are going to face a tough opponent, either the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico”.
Adriana Flores, Captain of El Salvador: “We were aware of the level of play we were going to face today. In the first set we were able to solve some aspects of the game and that helped them to control us better in the following sets. We did an honest job. Tomorrow we finish pool-play against another tough opponent, Colombia, we will do our best”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 5, 2023.- Dominican Republic remained undefeated after their 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-13) victory to Mexico in Women’s Volleyball at the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games on Wednesday.
First place in Pool A will be decided on Thursday between defending champion Dominican Republic 2-0 and Puerto Rico 2-0; Mexico 0-2 faces Costa Rica 0-2.
Mexico took advantage of Dominicans unforced errors in the first set and had momentum keeping the score close. Dominican Republic went on to lead the second set from start to finish and in the third came from a two-point deficit to perform their best set in the match.
Dominicans’ best skill was their blocking, with a 13 to 7 advantage; they also led 4-2 in points from serves. The match was balanced in points from attacks, with Dominican Republic leading 36 to 32. The winners committed fewer unforced errors (14-22).
Outside hitters Yonkaira Peña and Brayelin Martinez led Dominican Republic with 13 points each. Yonkaira on 12 kills and one block and Brayelin on 9 kills, one block and three aces. Middle blocker Jineiry Martinez, who only played in the first two sets, scored a match-high of six points on blocks.
Outside hitter Melanie Parra, making her return to the Mexican national team, was the leading attacker in the match with 14 points on 10 kills, 3 blocks and one ace. Her teammate Andrea Rangel contributed with 10 attacking points.
Vielka Perarlta, DOM, serves
Yonkaira Peña, top scorer for Dominican Republic: “Mexico did well in taking advantage of our errors, they adjusted their performance. We were able to come out on top without pressure and finished off controlling the third set by limiting our errors. When I had the responsibility to attack, I took it with responsibility as I always do”.
Melanie Parra, top scorer of Mexico: “I have some time without playing for the national team and coming back to a competition with opponents of great quality has its pressure, but my team has quality. Despite the loss we can rescue some good things, I am happy with what we can accomplish. Tomorrow we’re going against Costa Rica, and we can’t give them any opportunities because they have a good defense”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 5, 2023.- Puerto Rico defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-9) improving 2-0 in Pool A in Women’s Volleyball at the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games on Wednesday at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Puerto Rico unbeaten (2-0) will meet defending champion Dominican Republic in their last preliminary round match on Thursday. Costa Rica is set to face Mexico.
The Caribbean team, with variations in their line-up, had no complications in prevailing over the Central American squad 38 to 20 in attacking points, 6 to 4 in points from blocks and a slim 4-3 margin in aces. Puerto Rico benefited from scoring 27 points from opponent errors while limiting their own to eight.
Puerto Rico’s scoring offense was led by three players with double digits. Opposite Genesis Collazo and outside hitter Pilar Victoria with 13 points each, and outside hitter Karla Santos tallied 10 points.
Costa Rica’s leading scorer was opposite hitter Tatiana Sayles with 7 attacking points.
Alba Hernandez, PUR, attacks
Wilmarie Rivera, Setter of Puerto Rico: “We are glad about our second victory, we were able to work on several things on our side of the court and we competed well. There were some variations in our lineup so we can improve and practice and be ready to advance into the next round”.
Marcela Araya, Captain of Costa Rica: “We started off the first points of each set well, but then we lost communication, our intensity was lower and in consequence the result. There is much to improve, but to put in practice. We didn’t play at our best and we must fix it immediately because the tournament is short”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 5, 2023.- Colombia beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 (25-9, 25-9, 25-6) in their second win in a row in Pool B at the Women’s Volleyball tournament of the 2023 San Salvador CAC Games on Wednesday in the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Colombia is 2-0 leading Pool B and will finish the preliminary round on Thursday against host El Salvador, and Trinidad & Tobago is 0-2, they will play Cuba.
Colombia was dominant with advantages in every element of the game; in attacks (32-16), in blocks (3-1) and in points from serves (7-0), in addition to scoring on 33 opponent errors against seven.
The South Americans used all their players where middle blocker Melissa Rangel led 9 points and outside hitter Ana Karina Olaya followed with 8.
Middle blocker Kaylon Cruickshank led Trinidad & Tobago with 6 points, opposite Alexis Aaliyah and outside hitter Desiree Donald added 5 points each.
Ana Olaya, COL, attacks
Melissa Rangel, Middle blocker of Colombia: “With two wins we are first in our group, it has been with team effort, and we are happy with the results. We have a new team, with young players, where each one does their role. We are helping the younger players to push Colombia’s volleyball forward”.
Antonio Rizola, Head Coach of Colombia: “We are giving one step forward, it’s an important win because everyone in the team performed today. Next, we face the home team, it will be hard, with the support of their fans. We are headed to semifinals”.
Rayquelle Dickson, setter of Trinidad & Tobago: “We had good defense for moments, we have to try to be more consistent and as a setter I have to be more ready when the balls are coming at me. We close against a tough opponent (Cuba) and Trinidad will come with heads up high as always”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 4, 2023.- Host El Salvador took down Trinidad & Tobago in straight sets 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-21) on opening day of Women’s Volleyball at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
El Salvador came from behind in 0-4 in the first set gaining confidence to start off winning. In the second set their impressive recovery from a seven-point deficit (3-10) shut down Trinidad & Tobago’s momentum for a close 25-23 win and went on to lead third set from start to finish.
El Salvador earned their first Pool B victory with advantage only in points from attacks 38 to 26, while Trinidad & Tobago led with a huge 12 to 4 in blocking points and a considerable 10 to 6 in points from aces. El Salvador scored on 27 opponent errors while committing 13.
Outside hitter Gabriela Funes of El Salvador was the match leading scorer with 16 points on 13 kills and three aces. Team captain Adriana Flores added 10 attacking points contributing in the win.
Opposite Krystle Esdelle led Trinidad & Tobago with 13 points followed by outside hitter Channon Thompson with 12 points. Team captain Jalicia Ross scored the most blocks with 5 points and middle blocker Kaylon Cruickshank led in aces with 5 points.
On Wednesday El Salvador (1-0) will play against Cuba (1-0) and Trinidad & Tobago (0-1) faces Colombia (1-0).
Gabriela Funes, ESA, attacks
Adriana Flores, Captain of El Salvador: “The first set helped to analyze our opponent and that helped us organize better to come from behind in the second set, with a better performance. Next is Cuba, a strong opponent, but facing a team of that level of play gets us out of our comfort zone and we will try to do our best. We have a game plan, just like today, let’s see what happens”.
Andrea Genova, Head Coach of El Salvador: “It’s motivating to start with a win, in front of such fantastic supporters. Tomorrow, we face a powerhouse, Cuba has an incredible history, and we will face the match with more confidence because of this match. In the second set, we were overconfident compared to the first and that’s why we failed too many serves; fortunately, with the changes, the players scored more, which was the key for winning the set and the match”.
Jalicia Ross, Captain of Trinidad & Tobago: “All matches in these Central American Games are an opportunity to learn and get together. We committed too many unforced errors in the second set while having the lead and we need to start finishing. Once we have the momentum, we must keep going with it”.
Saleem Ali, Head Coach of Trinidad & Tobago: “My team didn’t play tonight, they didn’t finish the balls and we were jumping too high, tapping just a little”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 4, 2023.- Colombia beat Cuba 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 26-24) to start their 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games campaign on Tuesday at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Cuba improved in defense to lead the third set from the beginning to keep up with Colombia’s 2-0 set lead and forcing a fourth set. Colombia with three kills in a row and two opponent errors came from behind (14-19) to an even 19 in the fourth set, for a dramatic 26-24 win while trailing a Cuban set point (23-24).
Colombia’s blocking was stronger than Cuba’s with a 13 to 8 advantage. Cuba dominated in kills 57 to 51, and both teams were leveled in aces (3-3). Colombia benefited from 27 unforced Cuban errors against 20.
Colombian opposite hitter Dayana Segovia led all scorers with 16 points on 14 kills and two blocks. Also standing out were outside hitters Ana Karina Olaya and Laura Grajales who tallied 12 and 11 points respectively. Middle blocker Melissa Rangel joined in with a match-high of 5 kills from blocks, out of her 11 scoring points.
Cuba’s outside hitter Ailama Cese topped her team with 15 points on 14 kills and one ace. Middle blocker Dayana Martinez contributed with 13 points on 10 kills and 3 blocks. Opposite Dezirett Madan scored 12 attacking points and outside hitter Diaris Perez added 10.
On day two of competition, Cuba faces the host country El Salvador and Colombia will play Trinidad & Tobago.
Colombia celebrates against Cuba
María Alejandra Marín, Captain of Colombia: “Colombia always battles up to the end; we battle every ball and that’s what made us win. Cuba has strength, a high block, and aggressive attacks, we were smart, touching balls, serving well and the double change worked out, and Karina responded as she should. The twelve of us are ready to contribute to any given moment”.
Antonio Rizola, Head Coach of Colombia: “This is a different team from last year, with great responsibility for outside hitters Ana Karina and Laura who contributed well; Valerin and Melissa in the middle, assumed their role knowing they are the only one to be on the court, it’s not easy for them. We played with heart”.
Tomás Fernández Arteaga, Head Coach of Cuba: “The players had a lot of nerves, they stole our initiative in serves and we couldn’t combine. But we won all the longer rallies and scored. We failed in serves and the tactical strategy of our setter was slow, according to the score she should have given the ball to the player who wasn’t marked”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 4, 2023.- Dominican Republic started the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games over Costa Rica 3-0 (25-7, 25-11 25-17) at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández on Tuesday.
Defending champion Dominican Republic, aiming for their eight CAC title, had no difficulties in earning their first Pool A victory prevailing 42-16 in points from kills, 10-6 in blocks and 3-1 in points from serves. Dominicans finished with 12 unforced errors and Costa Rica with 20.
Dominican Republic used all his players, with outside hitter Yonkaira Peña and opposite Gaila Gonzalez as top scorers with 11 points each. Gonzlez scored a match-high of 4 points on blocks. Outside hitter Brayelin Martinez added 8 points.
Outside hitter Tamara Espinoza and opposite hitter Tatiana Sayles led Costa Rica with 8 and 7 points respectively.
Dominican Republic (1-0) plays against Mexico (0-1) on Wednesday, and Costa Rica (0-1) faces Puerto Rico (1-0).
Brenda Castillo libero of Dominican Republic
Niverka Marte, Captain of Dominican Republic: “It’s an important win, we had personal goals during the match, we must get into rhythm and get used to the change of ball. We focused on not committing errors. The teams’ performance could have been better, but we are coming from a long competition (VNL), so we left Korea finishing our last match straight here. Alondra Tapia is one of the young prospects in the team and we are glad she’s here”.
Marcos Kwiek, Head Coach of Dominican Republic: “We have a big responsibility, we will try to defend our crown, knowing that each competition is different. We are coming from a long tournament, and we are tired with the time zone change, these are elements that interfere with our performance”.
Tatiana Sayles, Opposite of Costa Rica: “We were aware that the match was going to be hard. We set the goal of doing our best in every point and every set. They were hard points, we tried to be patient, stick together, and follow instructions. We improved with each set. Our goal is to compete, learn and do our best in every match”.
Pablo Acuña, Head Coach of Costa Rica: “It’s a challenge and an honor to start a tournament with the Central American champions, we take it with respect and seriously. There’s a big difference in their level of play and we must accept it, we did the best we could under the circumstances. I think we could have done better in the first two sets; Dominicans and we got relaxed in the third set. Dominican Republic is an elite team”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 4, 2023.- Puerto Rico defeated Mexico 3-1 (25-15, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23) in the opening match of the Women’s Volleyball tournament of the 2023 San Salvador Central American Games at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Puerto Rico stormed past Mexico in the first set and second sets, jumping an early six-point lead (12-6) and a four-point lead (13-9) respectively. Mexico’s offensive efforts kicked in the third, recovering from a four-point deficit (8-12) up to a 25-20 win and forcing a fourth close set win for Puerto Rico.
Both teams scored 10 points from blocks and Puerto Rico held a 3-1 advantage in points from serves, but Puerto Rico’s offense in points from attacks, 61 to 47, were the major difference in their Pool A opening win. Unforced errors were balanced, Puerto Rico with 25 and Mexico a total of 22.
Opposite hitter Brittanny Abercrombie of Puerto Rico scored a match-high of 26 points from 25 kills and one ace. Outside hitter Paola Santiago added 20 points on 16 kills, two blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Elaine Vazquez also contributed to the win with 18 points (16 kills, 2 blocks).
On Mexico’s side, outside hitter Melanie Parra and Grecia Castro led with 14 and 13 points respectively; Parra on 12 kills and one ace, and Grecia all on kills. Team captain Andrea Rangel and middle blocker Jocelyn Urias scored 10 points each.
On Wednesday, Puerto Rico faces Costa Rica and Mexico will play defending champion Dominican Republic.
Paola Santiago, PUR, spikes
Shara Venegas, Captain of Puerto Rico: “We have known each other since we were girls with Mexico, we know each other well. We prepared well and were strongly focused to come out with the victory. We are headed back to the Villa very happy after winning such an important match because of the competition format”.
Fernando Morales, Head Coach of Puerto Rico: “The Central American Games is an important event followed by many in Puerto Rico and we are celebrating this win with a lot of joy. Our aggressiveness in the beginning was important, Mexico was going to come out to pressure us from the beginning and being on top 2-0 gave us confidence. They (Mexico) responded strongly, and we were able to resist. I congratulate my young players Paola Santiago and Alondra Vázquez for a job well done”.
Andrea Rangel, Captain of Mexico: “Our performance was more stable in the third and fourth sets. We were pressured for the importance of the game, literally it was a classification match and I think it’s not good for anyone, having a first match that decides who moves in Central American Games and at 10:30 in the morning isn’t favorable for anybody. We continue to work, to learn and take advantage of every match to keep on improving”.
Nicola Negro, Head Coach of Mexico: “We didn’t start the game well. We lacked rhythm at the beginning, we weren’t organized. In the third set we were more balanced, and we played two sets well, but our block-defense wasn’t disciplined at the closing of the fourth set”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 3, 2023.- The Head Coaches of the eight women volleyball teams spoke ahead of the 24th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador 2023 that starts on Tuesday July 4 at the Sports Palace Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Italian coaches Nicola Negro and Andrea Genova will have their first experience not only at the CAC Games but their first official event coaching the national teams of Mexico and El Salvador respectively.
Antonio Rizola, Head Coach of Colombia: “We are coming with the same motivation that we had in Barranquilla, where nobody was expecting Colombia to reach the final. But we are here in a different group, with Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, and the host country, where every match is important, I always worry, but that motivates me. My team must not be confident that because they reached the finals four years ago, they will do the same here, we are working hard to be there”.
Pablo Acuña, Head Coach of Costa Rica: “We are coming after a good performance at the Final Four, we understand these are different teams, but it was good preparation for the team and to be more confident, as well as understand what we need tactically to take a bigger step. We are in a tough group, and we must compete with a lot of focus and discipline, the team is ready for that. More than results we want to have an optimal performance according to our statistics and our process”.
Tomás Fernández Arteaga, Head Coach of Cuba: “The teams’ preparation has been acceptable. Our sole goal is to obtain a respectable position, which includes a medal. We are well prepared, but the results will come from the court”.
Preliminary Inquiry
Wagner Pacheco, Assistant Coach of Dominican Republic: “The team is coming from competing at the VNL, with one change of a middle player. The team is coming strong after a very demanding competition, with two important victories to close the VNL, which I believe makes us the team with the highest level of play here. But we are aware that the players are tired from a whole month of competition, the changes in time zone and the long travel which we must manage”.
Andrea Genova, Head Coach of El Salvador: “We have been working for four months together, I came in February. For many players this will be their first experience and for me the first official match. We are here to gain experience as a team, to try to surprise and let’s see what comes out”.
Nicola Negro, Head Coach of Mexico: “I am really excited to be in the Norceca world, it’s an honor. I am enthusiastic and I am just starting with the Mexican national team to bring my experience to help the team grow. Like every beginning, it takes time. The Central American Games will be the first of many competitions for 2023, we are confident to do a good job”.
Saleem Ali, Head Coach of Trinidad & Tobago: “We have four players with experience and eight with not much experience; our two setters are young. This is all new for the team. We are fairly prepared, and our main goal is the Caribbean Cup that is in less than a month, so we are here to get the experience to use it at that level”.
Fernando Morales, Head Coach of Puerto Rico: “This is a young talented team, with the addition of Brittnay Abercrombie and Neira Ortiz, providing more experience to the group. We are aware that we play our all in every match, and we are starting with a tough opponent (Mexico), but our players have been in difficult situations, such as our Professional League and we know they will put up with the pressure”.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 3, 2023.- Dominican Republic is aiming to conquer their eighth Women’s Volleyball Central American and Caribbean title, sixth in a row, at the twenty fourth edition of the Games San Salvador 2023 running from July 4 to 8 at Palacio de los Deportes Carlos El Famoso Hernández.
Defending champions Dominican Republic, who arrived from finishing their 2023 Volleyball Nations League campaign, started their winning streak precisely here in El Salvador when they won the nineteenth edition of the Games San Salvador 2002.
In the history of the Games, Cuba has won the women’s tournament eight times, including seven in a row. The Dominican Republic is next with seven titles and Mexico has won the other three tournaments.
The eight competing teams are distributed in Pool A of defending champions Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Costa Rica; and Pool B with Cuba, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago and host El Salvador.
First and second place of each pool will advance into the semifinals, third and fourth place will play for positions 5 to 8 of the event.
The competition consists of four daily matches, starting on July 4 with Puerto Rico against Mexico at 10:30 local time, followed by Dominican Republic facing Costa Rica at 13:30, Colombia against Cuba at 17:00 and closing with host El Salvador at 20:00 playing against Trinidad & Tobago.
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