Cuba Wins Set One but Loses to Brazil

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Nov. 7 — Cuba’s Women’s volleyball team got off to a good start on Sunday against powerhouse Brazil, winning the first set in their World Volleyball Championship second round match.

However, the Brazilian superiority took charge to win the next three and the South Americans remain undefeated while Cuba (1-4) is in a three way tie for last place in Pool F.

Sheilla and Fabian led for Brazil with 17 and 15 points while Cuba got a match-high 19 from Kenia Carcaces.  The final scores were (23-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-18).

In other Pool F matches Italy dealt the United States their first tournament loss three sets to one (25-16 24-26 27-25 27-25), Germany over the Czech Republic in straight sets (8-25 17-25 16-25) and Thailand defeated The Netherlands  3-1, (25-15, 25-23 15-25 26-24).

Cuba is now in a must win situation to continues its effort to be among the six teams in Pool F to reach the semifinals along with the other six from Pool E.

The islanders play the Czech Republic on Monday and close their second round play against Italy on Tuesday.