TIJUANA, Mexico, August 5, 2007.- Mexico and Puerto Rico took their first victory at the FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship in the round for the 9 to 16 positions which started on Sunday.

Mexico defeated Peru in four sets 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 in Pool G and Puerto Rico defeated Tunisia 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 in Pool H.

Diana Rubio and Nancy Ortega were the best for the Mexican team with 17 and 15 points and Carla Rueda (16) and Keith Meneses (14) topped Peru. Joedly Narvaez and Grace Salado scored 11 apiece for Puerto Rico. More Spanish

TOKYO, Japan, August 5, 2007.- Cuba won its three matches during the first weekend of action in the 2007 FIVB World Grand Prix while USA took two out of three. The Dominican Republic remained winless.

Cuba defeated Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-15) with Nancy Carrillo scoring 13 points and Bethania de la Cruz totalling 10 for the losers.

In their second match in Japan, the Cubans beat Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-20) with Carrillo again as the best scorer with 12 tallies and Kenia Carcaces and Yanelis Santos each contributing 11 points. More Spanish

TIJUANA, Mexico, August 3, 2007.- The Dominican Republic advanced to the round of the top eight teams taking the most difficult path in volleyball: the five-setters. Not just one but three of them.

After defeating Peru, Russia and Italy by going to the limit, the Dominicans will be the lone representative of NORCECA Confederation in the top bracket of the 2007 FIVB Girls’ World Championship.

Thanks to Jeoselyna Rodriguez and some courageous of her teammates the Dominican Republic will battle for one of the top eight positions in the world event for girls under 18 years-old. More Spanish

TIJUANA, Mexico, August 1, 2007 - Brazil, Japan and Serbia became the first teams to win spots in the top bracket of the 2007 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship, but the biggest news tonight was the victory of the Dominican Republic over Russia in five sets in Pool C.

It was the first triumph in history for the Dominican volleyball against a major power as Russia. The Caribbeans defeated the Europeans 10-25, 25-21, 25-18, 19-25, 15-13 with Jeoselina Rodriguez scoring 29 points for the second night in a row. More Spanish

TIJUANA, Mexico, August 1, 2007.- The Dominican Republic was the only team from NORCECA with a winning start at the 2007 FIVB Girls’ Youth World Championship with USA, Puerto Rico and Mexico coming out on the loser end in Day One of action.

The Dominicans edged Peru in a five-set gruelling battle between Latin Americans in Tijuana. The Dominicans came back from a 1-2 deficit and triumphed 15-25, 25-11, 18-25, 25-22, 18-16.

Jeoselina Rodriguez was the best Dominican scorer with 29 points, Lisvel Eve added 13 and Yenifer Calcano and Marifranchi Rodriguez chipped in 9 apiece.

“I felt a big responsibility to do well and only thought of my country when the decisive set came in,” said Rodriguez. “I hope to win another match and advance to the second round.” More Spanish

P-2 form

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 30, 2007.- There are sixteen teams competing from today in the 2007 FIVB Girls’ Youth Volleyball World Championship. In a dozen of days, everyone will know which one is the best of the best.

There were a lot of optimistic faces and comments today during the press conference with the head coaches, but Branko Gajic of Serbia was the one who better resumed the kind of competition expected in Tijuana and Mexicali.

“Every team here is good, but at the end only one will finish at the top,” More Spanish

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 30, 2007.- Four teams from NORCECA Confederation will taken part of the 2007 FIVB Girls’ World Championship starting tomorrow in Tijuana and Mexicali. USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and host Mexico are part of the sixteen-squad competition to be played on July 31-August 11 in these two cities of Baja California.

The tenth edition of the event finds Brazil, China and Japan tied as two-time champions in the history of the competition for athletes under 18 years-old.

Brazil, the defending queens, won the title in Macau, China in 2005 and in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 1997, China took consecutive gold medals in 2001 and 2003 in Pula, Croatia and Pila, More Spanish

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 28, 2007.- Brazilian Gilberto Godoy, better known by his nickname of “Giba” by the volleyball crowds around the world, was elected today as the Most Valuable Player of the Men’s Tournament of the Pan American Games.

Fresh from the victory in the World League, the powerful attacker and all-around player led Brazil to its first crown in the continental multi-sport competition since 1983. Brazil defeated USA in the match for the gold medal.

Brazil sent two more players to the All-Star Team with setter Marcelo Elgarten and Sergio Santos who took the medals as best libero and receiver.

Puerto Rican Hector Soto finished as the best scorer and his fellow countryman Gregory Berrios was the best defender.

American Sean Rooney and Delano Thomas qualified as the top spiker and server respectively, and Cuban Roberlandy Simon resulted in the best blocker. More Spanish

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 28, 2007.- Reigning Olympic and World Champion Brazil added another title to its big collection by winning the men’s volleyball gold medal of the Pan American Games.

The Brazilians crowned their campaign of 3-0 victories with a straight sets triumph over USA 25-16, 25-20, 25-22, claiming their first gold medal of the quadrennial event since the 1983 edition in Caracas. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 28, 2007.- Cuba won the bronze medal with a five-set victory over Venezuela by scores of 25-16, 23-25, 27-25, 17-25 and 18-16.

“We won by combining our skills, but I consider the serves as the key element,” said Orlando Samuel, the coach of Cuba.

“It was a good game for both teams and the outcome could have gone either way,” said Ricardo Navajas, the coach of Venezuela. “I am satisfied of what I have seen from my team and I think we have a good potential for future competitions.”

More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 28, 2007.- Puerto Rico qualified in the fifth position of the Pan American’s men volleyball tournament with a 3-0 victory over Argentina by scores of 25-22, 25-22, 30-28.

Puerto Rican Hector Soto produced 20 points and cemented his position as the leading scorer of the competition. Victor Rivera and Luis Rodriguez contributed 14 and 13 points respectively. Argentina had in Lucas Chavez (13) and Gaston Gianni (10) its best scorers.

“We did not come here looking for a fifth place, but at least we improved from the last edition,” said Soto. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 28, 2007.- Canada downed Mexico in straight sets and the victory was good for the seventh place in the men’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games. The Canadians won by scores of 26-24, 25-22, 25-20 in 80 minutes.

Canada played with good control and had effective blocking in route to the victory over a Mexican squad that left the competition without any success.

Paul Duerden led Canada with 16 points, Nicholas Cundy added 12 and Murray Grapentine and Fred Winters each had 10.  More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 27, 2007.- Brazil defeated Venezuela in straight sets 30-28, 25-18 y 25-16 and moved to the final of the Men’s Tournament of the Pan American Games against USA.

Venezuela was ahead 23-19 in the first set but could not close it and the Brazilians tied with a block by Giba Godoy followed by powerful serves from Andre Nascimento to even the score at 23-all.

From that point on, the teams embraced in a tough exchange until a spike down the middle by Gustavo Endres gave the victory to the owners of the house.

In the second set, Brazil controlled the match and took advantage of the defensive mistakes of Venezuela. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 27, 2007.- USA had five players with double figures in scoring and beat Cuba 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 24-26 y 25-23) advancing to the final of the Men’s Tournament of the Pan American Games.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match because Cuba always plays strong and we were prepared for it,” said Ron Larsen, the American coach. “We are very satisfied for winning this very difficult match. The guys prepared well, and never lost the confidence and the concentration.”

The best scorers for USA were Brook Billings with 16 points, David Lee and Sean Rooney with 15 apiece, Jim Polster 14 and Delano Thomas 13. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 27, 2007.- Puerto Rico scored an easy triumph 3-0 (25-19, 25-19 y 25-18) over Mexico and will meet Argentina for the fifth place of the Men’s Tournament of the Pan American Games.

“We came looking to dominate every aspect of the game and did it,” said Luis Ruiz, the Puerto Rican coach. “We have to credit the boys, who played great today and put the opponents to the defensive.”

Hector Soto again was a key piece for his team with 16 points, including 11 kills,  More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 27, 2007.- Argentina defeated Canada in a five-set thriller  (16-25, 25-23, 30-28, 19-25, 25-23) and will play for the fifth place of the Men’s Tournament of the Pan American Games.

The best Argentineans scorers were Lucas Chávez with 25 points, Gustavo Scholtis had 21, Gaston Giani 15 and Diego Stepanenko 11. Canada had Nicholas Cundy with 24 puntos, Paul Duerden added 21, Fred Winters 20, Brett Youngberg 12 and Murray Grapentine 10.

“Even though it was a match with many mistakes from both sides, I think in general it was a good game because it was close and with a lot of alternatives. I am very happy with the victory,” said Jon Uriarte, the coach of Argentina. More Spanish P-2 form

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand, July 27 2007.- USA Team finished in fourth place at the Junior Women’s World Championship after losing its last two matches of the competition won by Brazil with a victory over China in four sets 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-14.

Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, the other two teams from NORCECA, placed ninth and eleventh respectively.

The Americans lost to the Brazilians in the semi finals by scores of 25-14, 25-19, 25-15 and were edged by Japan in a spectacular five-setter for the bronze medal by scores of 25-16, 14-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23.

In the eliminatory for the 9-12 positions, Puerto Rico first defeated Dominican Republic 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 and then beat Croatia 27-29, 25-19, 26-24, 25-17. In the match for the eleventh place, the Dominicans beat Egypt 25-15, 25-21, 25-11.

More Spanish

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 25, 2007.- Cuba beat Canada in straight sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-22) of Pool A and moved to the semi final phase of the volleyball competition in the Pan American Games.

On Friday, the Cubans will play against USA while Venezuela will meet Brazil in the semi finals. The winners will go for the gold and the losers will dispute the bronze medal.

Pedro Iznaga led the balanced Cuban attack with 10 points. Michael Sanchez and Roberlandy Simon each had 9 points, and Oriol Camejo and Osdelvis Dominicano each produced 8 tallies. Paul Duerden and Fred Winters with 14 and 10 points topped Canada. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 25, 2007.- The USA Men’s Team swept Puerto Rico 25-22, 25-17, 25-23 to conclude the preliminary round with an undefeated record in three outings.

Sean Rooney and Brook Billings were the best scorers for USA with 14 points apiece. Jose Rivera topped Puerto Rico with 12 points and Victor Rivera provided 10.

“We are going to have to play better the rest of the tournament,” said coach Ron Larsen. “However, we pride ourselves on working hard. We can control our own effort, but we can not always control our performance.” More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 25, 2007.- Brazil blanked Mexico and advanced to the semi finals with an unbeaten record. Despite keeping on the bench their starting players, the World Champions easily downed their opponents 25-17, 25-23, 25-21.

Anderson Rodrigues was the top Brazilian scorer with 17 points and Samuel Fuchs and Murilo Endres had 15 and 10. Mexican Gustavo Meyer scored 11 tallies.

“We don’t have a preferred rival for the semi final match, we just go out and play our game,” said Bernardo Rezende, the Brazilian coach. “It is not our choice to pick an opponent. Our goal is to win at least by two points in five sets.” More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 25, 2007.- Venezuela defeated Argentina 3-0 taking an important step toward the defense of the gold medal in the Men’s Volleyball Tournament. After losing in their first match, the Venezuelans won the next two and finished with a 2-1 mark in Pool B with their 25-17, 25-21, 25-21 victory over Argentina (0-3).

Harry Gomez with 19 points led Venezuela and Tomas Ereu and Luis Diaz had 16 and 10 respectively. Argentina had Gustavo Scholtis with 9 points and Diego Stepanenko and Lucas Chavez with 8 apiece.

More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 24, 2007.- Brazil advanced to the semi finals of the Men’s Volleyball Tournament by sweeping Cuba  25-23, 25-20 y 25-20 in Pool A. The second victory without losses assures the Brazilians one spot in the next phase.

Giba Godoy led the Brazilians with 16 points, Andre Nascimento added 11, and Rodrigo Santana had 10. Cubans Michael Sanchez and Roberlandy Simon had 14 and 11 respectively.

The first set was very close and was tied 22-22 with Cuba showing great blocking. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 24, 2007.- Behind four players scoring double-figure points, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team swept Argentina 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 in Pool B action.

Brook Billings led the U.S. with 12 points, Sean Rooney and Jim Polster turned in 11 points apiece and Delano Thomas provided 10. Lucas Chavez paced Argentina with 13 points despite only starting the third set.

"Tonight was a nice match by both teams," Polster said. "Our young guys did well again. Both Sean and Brook played well, and we are one step closer to our goal." More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 24, 2007.- Canada came back from a poor first set and defeated Mexico 3-1 for its first victory in Pool A of the Men’s Volleyball Tournament. The sets finished 17-25, 25-19, 29-27, 25-19, with Dallas Soonias scoring 20 points coming from the bench.

The Canadians evened their record in 1-1 and sent Mexico to a 0-2 mark with one match to play against host Brazil.

“We could stabilize our game, leaving behind the mistakes and going back to the fundaments,” said Gleann Hoag, the Canadian coach.

Murray Grapentine had 15 points for Canada and Dan Lewis and Fred Winters each provided 10 points.

 More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 24, 2007.- Venezuela got its first victory by defeating Puerto Rico 3-1 in Pool B of the Men’s Volleyball Tournament of the Pan American Games.

Following a well fought first set which ended 31-29 in favour of Puerto Rico, the Venezuelans commanded the match and prevailed in the next three sets by scores of
25-16, 25-18 y 25-19.

Ivan Marquez was the big man of Venezuela with 21 points. Luis Diaz had 14, Harry Gomez 13 and Tomás Ereu 12. Hector Soto led Puerto Rico with 21 and Jose Rivera added 10. More Spanish P-2 form

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand, July 24, 2007 –USA and Japan joined China and Brazil in the semi-finals of the FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship on Tuesday.

USA, the Norceca champions, sprang a big surprise on Tuesday when they definitely put in their best effort to stun China in a close match 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21.

Brazil defeated Puerto Rico 25-17, 25-10, 25-17, and host Thailand crushed Dominican Republic in straight sets 26-24, 25-15, 25-6.

In the do-or-die semi-finals on Thursday, Brazil takes on the USA, with Japan challenging China in the all-Asian  More Spanish