Defending champions recovered from two sets down to defeat Cuba in the semifinals of the U23 Women's Pan American Cup in Peru on Friday
Ica, Peru, September 13, 2014 – Defending champions Dominican Republic will play Colombia in the gold medal match of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup at Jose Oliva Razetto Coliseum of Ica on Saturday.
The Dominicans scored an incredible comeback victory over Cuba in a nail-biting five-setter (18-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-12) behind the explosive left-hander Gaila Gonzalez who scored 27 points, including 9 blocks.
In the other semifinal, Colombia overcame hosts Peru 3-1 (28-26, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22) with Amanda Coneo leading the scorers with 23 points of her own.
The Dominicans held a huge 25-10 advantage in the blocking category with Jineiry Martinez contributing 8 blocks among her 13 points. Captain Brayelin Martinez added 17 in the victory.
Cuba’s Melissa Vargas had a tournament-high 30 points, all with spikes, followed by Regla Gracia with 12 points and Heydy Casanova and Sulian Matienzo who each tallied 10 in the losing effort.
In the city of Chincha, Argentina beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-18) while Mexico dominated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-18) in classification matches for the 5 to 8 positions.
Dominican Republic, Cuba and Peru all have won berths to next year's FIVB U23 World Championship to take place in Brazil. Colombia was already qualified along with hosts Brazil through the South American U23 Continental Championship.
Top Scorer by Day
21- Melissa Vargas of Cuba v Colombia on 7-9-14
26- Yonkaira Peña of Dominican Republic v Colombia on 8-9-14
26- Angela Leyva of Peru v Mexico on 8-9-14
23- Maguilaura Frias of Peru v Argentina on 9-9-14
24- Amanda Coneo of Colombia v Mexico on 11-9-14
24- Brayelin Martinez of Dominican Republic on 11-9-14
30- Melissa Vargas of Cuba v Dominican Republic on 12-9-14
Top Scoring Performances
30- Melissa Vargas of Cuba v Dominican Republic on 12-9-14
27- Gaila Gonzalez of Dominican Republic v Colombia on 12-9-14
26- Yonkaira Peña of Dominican Republic v Colombia on 8-9-14
26- Angela Leyva of Peru v Mexico on 7-9-14
24- Amanda Coneo of Colombia v Mexico on 11-9-14
24- Brayelin Martinez of Dominican Republic on 11-9-14
Top Blocking Performances
9- Gaila Gonzalez of Dominican Republic v Cuba on 12-9-14
8- Jineiry Martínez of Dominican Republic v Cuba on 12-9-14
7- Jocelyn Urias of Mexico v Peru on 8-9-14
7- Andrea Urrutia of Peru v Colombia on 12-9-14
Top Serving Performances
8- Regla Gracia of Cuba v Costa Rica on 8-9-14
7-Shiamara Almeida of Peru v Trinidad and Tobago on 7-9-14
6- Claudia Resendiz of Mexico v Costa Rica on 12-9-14
5- Micaela Tassara of Argentina v Trinidad and Tobago on 8-9-14
4- Lisbeth Sainz of Mexico v Argentina on 7-9-14
Top Team Blocking Performances
25- Dominican Republic v Cuba on 12-9-14
19- Mexico v Peru on 8-9-14
13- Argentina v Peru on 9-9-14
13- Dominican Republic v Argentina on 11-9-14
12- Peru v Colombia on 12-9-14
Top Team Serving Performances
16- Cuba v Costa Rica on 8-9-14
14- Argentina v Trinidad and Tobago on 8-9-14
12- Mexico v Costa Rica on 12-9-14
11- Peru v Trinidad and Tobago on 7-9-14
10- Colombia v Dominican Republic on 8-9-14
10- Argentina v Trinidad and Tobago on 12-9-14
Highest Scoring Sets
29-27 Peru v Argentina (4th Set) on 9-9-14
28-26 Colombia v Peru (1st Set) on 12-9-14
27-25 Colombia v Dominican Republic (4th Set) on 8-9-14
27-25 Cuba v Dominican Republic (1st Set) on 9-9-14
27-25 Argentina v Peru (2nd Set) on 9-9-14
27-25 Colombia v Mexico (3rd Set) on 11-9-14
Highest Scoring Matches
228- Peru d Argentina 3-2 (22-25, 25-27, 25-22, 29-27, 15-11) on 9-9-14
225- Peru d Mexico 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 18-16) on 8-9-14
215- Dominican Republic d Cuba 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-22, 15-12) on 12-9-14
209- Colombia d Dominican Republic 3-2 (20-25, 25-19, 22-25, 27-25, 15-6) on 8-9-14