Angela Leyva has top scored in every match for Peru and did it again against Cuba with 28 points
Chiclayo, Peru, June 11, 2016 – FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix Group 3 leading scorer Angela Leyva top scored with 28 points to help Peru beat Cuba in a five-set thriller 3-2 (25-14, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-6) to confirm Peru’s spot in the Final Four for the second year running.
The atmosphere was electric in the Colisseum Cerrado with the 7,500 strong crowd right behind Leyva and her teammates.
Leyva, who was the top scorer in last year's World Grand Prix Group 3 when Peru lost to Kenya in the final, has top scored in all of Peru’s matches in this campaign including 20 against Algeria on Friday and on the first weekend - 31 against Kazakhstan, 23 against Mexico and 16 points against Algeria.
Mauro Marasciulo’s charges took the lead in the first set by stopping the powerful service and attack of Melissa Vargas. Although the young Cuban starlet would go on to eventually score 25 points, Peru had the honours easily in the first set 25-14.
In the second set, Cuba’s attack got stronger as they found a way through the Peruvian defence with captain Sulian Matienzo (11 points for the match) making important points and encouraging them with key contests at the net as Cuba clinched the second set 25-23.
Despite a bad start in the third set where the home side struggled to pass the Caribbean block, forcing Marasciulo to change his lineup. The introduction of Andrea Urrutia and Shiamara Almeida helped Peru eventually fight back however continued Peruvian bad reception and service errors helped Cuba claim the third set 25-20.
FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2016 - Media GuideHowever, the local team, supported by a passionate crowd, got back into the match with more application in the fourth set and with Maguilaura Frias (20 points for the match) on fire, Peru took the match in a tie break after winning 25-19 in the fourth.
In the final set, the “red-and-whites” were down at the beginning but they recovered and turned the score around to lead 8-3 thanks to the contribution from the service live of captain Mirta Uribe, where she recorded three key aces. After a controversial rally gave Cuba the sixth point, an error in the service of Dalila Palma gave Peru the win to pass to the Group 3 Final Four in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where they will join the home side, Group 3 leaders Croatia and Colombia or Cuba who are still in contention for the fourth spot with one game to play.