USA, Cuba battle for v-ball crown

Santo domingo: World number two the United States of America and arch-rivals Cuba have booked their places in the FIVB World Volleyball Champion-ships to be held in Japan from November 1 to 15.

The perennial battlers for the region’s top prize are at it again following their semi-final victories on Thursday night at the Pabellon de Voleibol, Olympic Park, Santo Domingo. The Americans are the defending champions and they hold three NORCECA senior women’s titles (1981, 1983 and 2001) while the Cubans reigned supreme on 12 occasions since the competition started 34 years ago. Mexico is the only other team to have had the honour of lifting the coveted trophy. They did it back to back in 1969 and 1971 while the Americans, although with three liens, have proven their top standing with nine runners-up position to the Cubans.

The volleyball powerhouses will be engaged in a torrid showdown for bragging rights and should treat the ardent Dominican Republic fans with the highest level of attacking play in the grand finale. The Americans displayed their awesome powers and were led by their star player Logan Tom as they dispatched their northerly neighbours Canada in comfortable fashion, winning in three straight sets in their semi-final encounter 25-16, 25-19, 25-16. The Cubans gave everything to finally overpower the hosts and reigning Pan-American champions Domi-nican Republic.

The Cubans won 25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 20-25,15-11 memorable victory, which not only guaranteed them a place in the gold medal match but also one of the two qualifying berths to the World’s Women Volleyball Championships in Japan. Aisha Sealy and her youthful Trinidad and Tobago team finished seventh in their first outing at the NORCECA senior level. With nine players who are members of the victorious Junior Championship team, Sealy and her girls would be strengthened by the exposure against the best seniors in the Western Hemisphere. Next year, they will be vying for top honours in the NORCECA Juniors, which is scheduled for July in Montreal, Canada.