MEXICO STARTS WITH THE RIGHT FOOT AT BOYS' U19 PAN AM CUP

Mexico tries to adjust the blocking
game against the Trinidadians.

MEXICALI, Mexico.- Mexico won its fist match at the Boys’ U19 Pan American Cup 3-0 against Trinidad & Tobago (25-19, 25-18, 25-11).

Brandon Legall scored 17 points (14 by spike and 13 on serve plays) for the Trinidadian team, while Sergio Perez finished with 15 tallies and Marco Antonio Rodriguez scored 13 for Mexico. 

“We had a very explosive start on the first set, but on the last one we lost momentum”, said Trinidad & Tobago’s captain Ryan Thomas.

“It was not an easy match. It was as we expected. We felt some anxiety and nerves but we knew we could make it and got confidence”, stated Mexico’s Jonathan Ponce.

“I’m proud of the boys, this is their first time playing at this level, and when you play your first match it is always difficult. They did it with heart and determination”, said David Camacho, head coach of Trinidad and Tobago.

For Oscar Licea, the team has started a long process. “I think we will go from minus to more every day, but we have make some adjustments specifically in our blocking game“, He remarked.

Trinidad & Tobago faces United States and Mexico has a bye date this Tuesday.

BOYS' U19 PAN AM CUP IS OFFICIALY IN PROGRESS

Folk dances and a teams parade were part of the opening
ceremony at State Auditorium,

MEXICALI, Mexico, July 11 2011.- The First Boy U19 Pan Am Cup was officialy inaugurated after the opening ceremony took place at the State Auditorium in Mexicali.

Mayor Francisco Perez Tejada Padilla of Mexicali welcomed the fans on behalf of the city that once again has hosted an international volleyball event.

The traditional parade took place on the court with the teams of USA, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico.

The mexican folklor also was part of a colorful ceremony, thar marked the beginning of a one week celebration in a warm but friendly city that has been the site of Senior Pan Am Cups as well as the Womens' World Junior Championship in 2009.

The first two matches were played between Brazil and Costa Rica, with a 3-0 victory for the Amazonian team.

Meanwhile Mexico played its first match against Trinidad and Tobago. The times for matches are scheduled at 5:00 and 7:00 PST.

COACHES DECLARE THEIRSELVES READY FOR BOYS' U19 PAN AM CUP

Coaches were presented prior to the tournament in
Mexicali, Mexico.

MEXICALI, Baja California (Norceca.org).— The First Boys’ U19 Pan American Cup starts this monday at the State Auditorium with participation of six countries.

The first match will be played at 5:00 PM local time, between Brazil and Costa Rica, while the Official Opening Ceremony will take place immediately. After the ceremony, México will face Trinidad & Tobago. This will be a free event to the public.

The host team, Mexico, will compete in Pool B, along with the United States of America, as well as Trinidad & Tobago. Brazil, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico are part of Pool “A”. Coaches of every competing team shared their expectations about this tournament.

Percy Oncken (Brazil): “The expectation of course is big for us, because it is a very important tournament and we understand that this competition is a preparation for the World Junior Championship that will be played in Argentina next August. We will see very strong teams and we hope Brazil can play very well”.

Oscar Licea (Mexico): “We want to have a change in our Boys’ youth teams. There have not been good results previously, but we are beginning a long preparation process with these kids, and we hope to have a good start in this tournament”.

Ramon Lawrence (Puerto Rico): “We have a very young team, in development, and this tournament will help us as a preparation for the World Championship in Argentina. We will try to be among the top three and we hope that during this competition our players can get confidence”.

David Camacho (Trinidad y Tobago): “This is my second time in the city of Mexicali, it is hot but so friendly. For us the preparation was not very long actually, however our main attention is to practice, get confidence, and we plan to enjoy this tournament”.

Henry Rodríguez (Costa Rica): “We bring a new team to gain experience in a tournament like this with important teams like Mexico, United States, Brazil or Puerto Rico. We have been training to have a united group. It will be difficult, but we will work to give our best on the court, even we win or lose”.

Ken Shibuya (United States of America): “Our USA team is ready and very excited to be in Mexico. We appreciate the federation to host us. This also will be a great preparation for the World Championship in Argentina. We are very excited to play Mexico in Mexicali, it is a wonderful environment.”

BRAZIL OPENS THE BOYS' U19 PAN AM CUP WITH A VICTORY OVER COSTA RICA

Brasil inició con el pie derecho ante los ticos.

MEXICALI, Mexico.— Brazil defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-6, 25-8, 25-10) in the opening match of the Boys’ U19 Pan American Cup.

Flavio Gualberto scored 12 points, and Wagner Silva 8, for the Brazilian team. Cesar Gomez registered 4 on the Costa Rican side.

“It was a very hard match for us, but we acquired experience against a taller team with a high level. It really helped us in our learning curve”, said Costa Rican captain, Andres Araya.

Brazilian captain Thiago Veloso stated: “it is always good to start with a victory and this was a great match”.

Same opinion was given by coach Percy Oncken, who however emphasized: “It is my first time facing Costa Rica, but is a 2 years a younger team than ours, that made a big difference but they are talented”.

The coach of Costa Rica, Henry Rodriguez, said that facing Brazil was a great challenge.

 “We knew it was going to be a tough match for us. We don’t have such a great height like Brazil’s but I told the boys play with courage”. Costa Rica faces Puerto Rico while Brazil has a bye date this Tuesday.

ARGENTINA QUALIFIES TO THE GRAND PRIX

The South American team won the last ticket available against Peru. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico  (Norceca).- Argentina sealed  their ticket to the 2012 FIVB  World Grand Prix by defeating Peru In five sets  (19-25, 25-15, 24-26, 15-12)  at the 10th Pan American  Women’s Volleyball Cup. It was a thrilling and difficult  match  with a successful outcome  for Argentina.  There were long rallies that gave  excitement to the match as both  teams were after the last spot available for the South American region at the World Grand Prix. Peru will play for the seventh place. Georgina Pinedo led Argentina to the victory with 20 points, followed by Lucia Fresco  who scored 18.  For Peru, Angelica Aquino scored 19 points,  Yulissa Zamudio contributed 17 and  Mirtha Uribe 15.  Argentineans scored 6 aces and Peru 4. “Since last year we’ve been fighting to qualify for the Grand Prix, we have grown much  during the cup and now we can enjoy our victory,” Pinedo said. For Diana Soto the loss was bitter-sweet. “We almost had the win, but we lost key points.” Coach Horacio Bastit was very happy for Argentina.  “From my point of view, we were superior and clear winners, I am thrilled.” Luca Cristofani, Italian coach for Peru, expressed his disappointment with the referees,  as he pointed out that during his 25 years of career he was never expelled from a set. “I had to come to America to see such terrible mistakes and this wasn’t the first time during the tournament, as I have video proof of our match against Brazil with a bad rotation,  and it was the same referee.”

BRAZIL BECOMES THE NEW CHAMPION AT WOMEN'S SENIOR PAN AM CUP

The Olympic Champions defeated Dominican Republic
in straight sets (Norceca Photo).

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 9, 2011 (Norceca) – Olympic champions Brazil dethroned Dominican Republic as new queens of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by winning the decisive match in consecutive sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-19) in front of a packed house at Colegio de Bachilleres Gymnasium on Saturday.

It is the third gold medal for the Brazilians in the history of the event. They also won in 2006 and 2009. The Dominicans, who have finished among the top three in each of the 10 editions, took the silver for a fifth time.

Sheila Castro and Thaisa Menezes led Brazil with 13 points apiece while Fernanda Rodrigues contributed 12. Dominican Prisilla Rivera was the highest scorer with 19 points including 6 blocks. Bethania De la Cruz tallied 10.

“It was a good game where we served blocked very well,” Brazilian Fabiana Claudino said. “Now it is time to celebrate.”

“It was a difficult match as we expected,” Dominican Milagros Cabral said. “We didn’t play as well as we did in our previous games but we are happy with the second place.”

Jose Roberto Gimaraes, Brazilian coach. “I am glad with the results. The matches against Dominican Republic are always good as we play at the same level; we must continue in our preparation for the events that lie ahead of us.”

Marcos Kwiek, coach of Dominican Republic: “We played the whole tournament very well, but today Brazil had more consistency and pushed us hard with their blocks. Also we failed in key points. It is with pride that we take the silver medal.”

USA FINISHES WITH THE BRONZE MEDAL AT WOMEN'S SENIOR PAN AM CUP

American players celebrate the victory over Cuba.

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 9, 2011 (Norceca) – United States scored a convincing straight-set victory over Cuba (25-21, 25-16, 25-13) to claim the bronze medal of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup for second year in a row on Saturday.

Nancy Metcalf led three American players in double digits with 18 points. The veteran lefty was followed by Foluke Akinradewo and Jennifer Joyner-Tamas with 13 and 11 points respectively. Cuba’s Kenia Carcaces finished with 16 points.

The winners had the advantage in blocking (9-6) and service winners (4-1) with Joyner-Tamas recording four blocks.

Joyner-Tamas said: “We were really disappointed after yesterday’s loss and today we played well and together, so I am proud of my team and I congratulate Cuba for their amazing athletes.”

Coach Hugh McCutcheon praised his team performance. “I am pretty glad of Nancy Metcalf’s performance, she had some offensive momentums during the match; we have learned valuable lessons in this tournament and our main goal was our qualification to next year’s Grand Prix.”

“We didn’t have a good match today,” Cuban captain Yusidey Silie stated. “I feel sad because we were well prepared but we lost against more experienced teams than ours.”

Cuba’s coach, Juan Gala said he is satisfied with his team performance in the Cup. “We lost from the three best teams. We’ve already detected our faults and we need a better preparation.”