Undefeated Brazil won the grand finale. Brazil and Cuba were the two teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean that made it to the Grand Prix final round.

The Cuban Women’s Volleyball team down 2-0 to the world champion Italian came back to tie their volleyball grand prix match Sunday but lost in the tie breaker to finish fourth in the tournament.

Brazil, undefeated with 12 victories in the competition defeated Russia to retain its Grand Prix title for the third straight time.

The Cuban team, closely followed by sports fans on the island, once again proved inconsistent and sometimes lacking coordination, advancing in spurts, something extremely dangerous when playing against the world’s volleyball elite.

Captain Yumilka Ruiz had poor games against Brazil and Italy (under 10 points) said Idalberto Valdes, one of the team’s trainers who also noted the poor passing.

By the end of the first set the Cubans had committed 10 mistakes. This detail, combined with the combative spirit of the Italians, led to a 25-17 win for the home team.

The second set was more of the same. The Italians set the rhythm against a Cuban team unable to turn the tables. When the islander’s got within two at 10-8 after a string of points, technical errors were taken advantage of by the Italians who won easily 25-15.

The third set brought renewed hope for the Cubans who started out ahead 16-13, lost lead but came on with a strong attack, several blocks and the serving of Nancy Carrillo to win 25-23.

Behind the diagonal spikes by Rosir Calderon Cuba took the fourth set once again by a close 25-23 score to even the match and force a tie breaker.

Two straight blocks and a missed spike opportunity of Daimi Ramirez gave Italy a 3-0 lead. While the Cubans closed in within one at 7-6 on blocks and good serves, Italy came on strong to win 15-11 and take the Grand Prix bronze medal. The victory served as revenge for Cuba’s two victories over last year’s world champs, one in the Grand Prix qualifying round and another in the final round.

THIRD WIN IN A ROW

Undefeated Brazil won the grand finale against Russia 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17). Brazil and Cuba were the two teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean that made it to the Grand Prix final round. The Dominican Republic and the United States were eliminated along the way.

Source: Granma