The U.S. Men’s Volleyball Team fell to Cuba 1:3 in the gold medal match of the NORCECA Continental Championship in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

 

 

Cuba defeated United States 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 claiming the gold medal of the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship and the last remaining ticket to the FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. “Brazil is considered the big favorite in the Grand Champions Cup but we will be prepared to give a battle,” said Simon, the captain of Cuba. “We are going to give our best effort in Japan.”

Cuba (5-0), which won its 14th NORCECA title in 21 years of the tournament, qualifies for the Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan. The U.S. Men finished with a record of 4-1.

“It is an early wake-up call for us,” U.S. Team Captain Tom Hoff (Park Ridge, Ill.) said. “We didn’t play as good as we can. Cuba showed discipline and they came in focused on winning the tournament.”

“The key for the victory was the consistency,” said Orlando Samuels. “It is very stimulant for us to claim a victory against a team like the United States with great tradition in volleyball.”

Young Wilfredo Leon, 17, paced Cuba with 24 points on 23 kills and one block. He was also named the tournament MVP, Best Spiker and Rising Star. Michael Sanchez scored 19 points on 16 kills and three blocks. Cuba Head Coach Orlando Samuels received the “Jim Coleman Award” as the best coach.

from NORCECA