The Cubans dominated for most of the fast-paced match and won
15-4, 15-10, 13-15, 15-8 in the finals of the North and Central
American and Caribbean Volleyball Championships. They advanced to
the world championships to be held in Japan in November.
Mireya Luis, Cuba's star player, was called onto the court in
the third game despite a shoulder injury and helped fend off the
U.S. attack, which cost the Cubans their only game in five matches.
It was a familiar victory for the Cubans, who have defeated the
United States in 11 of 15 meetings at the regional championships.
The Cuban team also holds two Olympic titles.
The Dominican Republic won its first medal ever in the
tournament by beating Canada 8-15, 15-9, 15-5, 15-12 in the women's
third-place match.
The Cuban men's squad, also Olympic champions, are favored
against the United States on Friday night in championship match.
"We've never lost this tournament since I took charge, and
tomorrow we're we're going to win again,'' Cuba coach Juan Diaz
said Thursday.
The last time the United States beat the Cubans was at the 1995
Pan American Games in Argentina.
U.S. men's coach Doug Beal was upbeat about Friday's match,
when
veteran player Lloyd Ball is expected to join the squad for the
first time in the tournament.
"We have the players to beat Cuba, even though we're not
favored to win this one,'' Ball said.
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