HAVANA, Cuba, Sept 25 (acn) Defending champions Cuba on Thursday cruised to an easy victory over Mexico in three sets (25-15, 25-13, 25-14) to advance directly to the semifinals of the North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Women’s Continental Championship that is underway in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

The Cubans took advantage of their size and overmatched the Mexicans in blocks 15-1 with Yanelis Santos and Ana Cleger recording four apiece.

Santos, who also had three aces, led the Cuban attack with 14 points while Giselle Silva contributed 12.

“We achieved our first objective by finishing first,” said Yusidey Silie, captain of Cuba. “Now we hope to continue winning after an important day of rest.”

“By winning our pool we have time to study the other teams while they continue playing,” said Luis Oviedo, the coach of Cuba.

In the other Pool B match, the United States crushed Costa Rica in straight sets (25-7, 25-10, 25-12) to finish second in the group.

In the meantime, in Pool A, the Dominican Republic claimed the top spot of the group with a 3-1 (25-21, 28-30, 25-16, 25-22) win over Puerto Rico and also advanced directly to the semifinal round while Canada defeated Trinidad and Tobago in three sets (25-20, 25-16, 25-19).

Friday is a rest day for Cuba and for the Dominicans while four teams will fight for the two other semifinal spots. Then, on Saturday, Cuba will face the winner of Friday’s game between Puerto Rico and Mexico while the Dominican Republic will take on the winner of the Canada-United States match.

The tournament grants only one ticket for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Grand Champions Cup to be staged in Japan
next November.