WINNIPEG, Canada, September 22, 2007 - Cuba edged USA in a gruelling five-setter by scores of 22-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 18-16 to win the gold medal match at the NORCECA Continental Championship gold medal match.

Based on reaching the NORCECA championship match, both Cuba and Team USA claimed berths into the FIVB World Cup held Nov. 2-16 in Japan.

Dominican Republic defeated Canada 25-17, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 in the bronze medal match.

Rosir Calderon pocketed 22 points to lead Cuba. Nancy Carillo, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and top spiker, tallied 20 points for Cuba. Daimi Ramirez added 19 points, while Yumilka Ruiz collected 13 points.

Heather Bown led USA with 22 points, Ogona Nnamani added 19, Danielle Scott-Arruda contributed 17 and Jennifer Joines tallied 15 points.

Bethania de la Cruz and Cosiri Rodriguez led the Dominican victory with 23 and 21 points respectively, Milagros Cabral added 12 and Elina Eve and Cindy Rondon each contributed 11 tallies. Tiffany Dodds led Canada with 19 points, Emely Cordonier had 13 and Stacey Gordon and Tasha Holnes scored 10 points apiece.

Earlier in the final day, Puerto Rico swept Mexico (25-16, 26-24, 25-10) for fifth place and Costa Rica blanked Trinidad & Tobago (25-19, 25-20, 25-19) for seventh place.

2007 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship Results

Final Pool A Standings
Cuba 3-0
Canada 2-1
Puerto Rico 1-2
Costa Rica 0-3

Pool A
Sept. 17 (M3): Canada def. Costa Rica 25-18, 25-16, 25-18
Sept. 17 (M4): Cuba def. Puerto Rico 25-22, 24-26, 25-21, 25-12
Sept. 18 (M7): Cuba def. Costa Rica 25-14, 25-8, 25-15
Sept. 18 (M8): Canada def. Puerto Rico 25-20, 25-20, 24-26, 15-25, 15-4
Sept. 19 (M10): Puerto Rico def. Costa Rica 25-16, 25-13, 25-19
Sept. 19 (M12): Cuba def. Canada 25-20, 25-18, 25-10

Final Pool B Standings
USA 3-0
Dominican Republic 2-1
Mexico 1-2
Trinidad & Tobago 0-3

Pool B
Sept. 17 (M1): USA def. Trinidad & Tobago 25-9, 25-7, 25-6
Sept. 17 (M2): Dominican Republic def. Mexico 25-17, 25-19, 25-13
Sept. 18 (M5): Dominican Republic def. Trinidad & Tobago 25-13, 25-12, 25-13
Sept. 18 (M6): USA def. Mexico 25-6, 25-13, 25-10
Sept. 19 (M9): Mexico def. Trinidad & Tobago 25-22, 25-16, 25-15
Sept. 19 (M11): USA def. Dominican Republic 25-20, 25-18, 25-22

Quarterfinals
Sept. 20 (M13): Canada (A2) def. Mexico (B3) 25-17, 25-10, 25-16
Sept. 20 (M14): Dominican Republic (B2) def. Puerto Rico (A3) 25-22, 25-22, 25-15

Classifications (5-8)
Sept. 21 (M15): Mexico (B3) def. Costa Rica (A4) 18-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-21
Sept. 21 (M16): Puerto Rico (A3) def. Trinidad & Tobago (B4) 25-11, 25-10, 25-15

Semifinals
Sept. 21 (M17): Cuba (A1) def. Dominican Republic (B2) 25-15, 25-19, 25-23
Sept. 21 (M18): USA (B1) def. Canada (A2) 25-18, 25-12, 25-23

Consolations
Sept. 22 (M19): Costa Rica (A4) def. Trinidad & Tobago (B4) 25-19, 25-20, 25-19 (Seventh Place)
Sept. 22 (M20): Puerto Rico (A3) def. Mexico (B3) 25-16, 26-24, 25-10 (Fifth Place)

Medal Finals
Sept. 22 (M21): Dominican Republic (B2) def. Canada (A2) 25-17, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23 (Bronze Medal)
Sept. 22 (M22): Cuba (A1) def USA (B1) 22-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 18-16 (Gold Medal)

NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship Ranking
Gold – Cuba
Silver – USA
Bronze – Dominican Republic
4th – Canada
5th – Puerto Rico
6th – Mexico
7th – Costa Rica
8th – Trinidad & Tobago

NORCECA Continental Championship Individual Honors:
Best Spiker: Nancy Carillo (Cuba)
Best Server: Aury Cruz (Puerto Rico)
Best Passer: Stacy Gordon (Canada)
Best Setter: Vilmarie Mojica (Puerto Rico)
Best Libero: Carmen Rosa Caso Sierra (Dominican Republic)
Best Blocker: Nancy Carillo (Cuba)
Best Digger: Deborah Seilhamer (Puerto Rico)
Best Scorer: Bethania de la Cruz (Dominican Republic)