Cuba defeated Puerto Rico in five sets for second time in the tournament
Gurabo, Puerto Rico, September 19, 2015 – Cuba prevailed in a five-set duel with Puerto Rico 3-2 (25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-7) to claim the 13th position at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U20 World Championship on Saturday.
Diaris Perez led four Cuban players in double digits with 17 points followed by Ailama Cese, Anet Alfonso and Liset Herrera with 16, 14 and 12, respectively. Puerto Rican Dariana Hollingsworth had a match-high 25 points in the losing effort while Karla Santos added 15.
Cuba outblocked Puerto Rico 4-0 to claim the first set 25-18. Cuba led 8-5 and 16-13 at the technical stops and closed the set with a big spike by Herrera.
Puerto Rico rallied from a 21-12 deficit to take the second set 25-22 with Hollingsworth executing her floating serves and Cuba experiencing serious problems with their reception.
In the third set, Cuba led 16-13 but Puerto Rico evened at 17-all. Cuban captain Perez broke the tie at 23-all with a spike and Cuba clinched the set 25-23 when the spike by Brignoni sailed long.
In the close fourth set Puerto Rico led 8-7 and 16-15 before sealing it 25-20.
In the tie-breaker Cuba led 8-4 behind good spikes by Cese and never looked back closing the fifth set at 15-7.