2018 NORCECA U-21 CHAMPIONSHIPS
- August 27-September 1
- La Habana, Cuba (Ciudad Deportiva)
- Tournament Preview
- Event Landing Page
- Schedule/Results
Cuba took care of business on Saturday, September 1, 2018 on their way to winning their sixth NORCECA U-21 Championship. That is twice as many championships as the United States, the team with the second-most titles. The United States were kept off the medal stand after a lost to Canada, who won the bronze. Cuba claimed the only ticket available to the 2019 FIVB U-21 World Championships.
CHAMPIONSHIP: CUBA DEF. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 3-0
- Cuba defeats the Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-20)
- Cuba wins the gold medal and books a ticket to the 2019 FIVB U-21 World Championships; Dominican Republic wins their second silver medal in this competition (their second medal ever as well)
Jose Gonzalez made quick work of the Dominican Republic. He led all scorers with 16 points on 13 kills and 3 aces. His 3 aces tied Julio Morales as a match-high. Morales also scored 9 points on kills to finish with 12. Raico Saroza and Carlos Aida scored 7 and 5 points respectively in the middle for Cuba. Lazaro Najarro led the match with 9 digs as Cuba’s libero.
Bayron Pena led the match for the Dominican Republic with 14 kills. He also added a block to finish with 15 points. Jairo Bello scored 9 points on 8 kills and 1 block. Jose Mendez led the scoring in the middle with 2 kills, 3 blocks, and 1 service ace.
3RD PLACE: CANADA DEF. UNITED STATES 3-1
- Canada defeats the United States 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 25-27, 25-17)
- Canada wins the bronze medal, their ninth overall medal and third bronze, the United States finishes fourth; the first time they have not won a medal at this event
Jaylen Jasper may have led the match with 22 points, but that was not enough to keep the United States from their first-ever medal-less performance at the NORCECA U-21 Championships. He also posted match-highs with 17 kills and 4 service aces. Kevin Lamp was right behind with 18 points on 16 kills and 2 aces. Devin Joslyn replaced J.P. Reilly in the third set on the outside and finished the match with 7 points.
Xander Ketrzynski led Canada with 18 points. His points came from 15 kills, 2 blocks, and 1 ace. Brodie Hofer scored 14 points on 11 kills, 2 blocks, and 1 ace. Fynnian McCarthy had 6 points in the middle on 1 kill, 3 blocks, and 2 aces. Michael Dowhaniuk contributed 10 points on 9 kills and 1 ace. Mathias Elser set Canada to a .393 hitting percentage in the win.
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