Cuban press cheered on Sunday after its woman volleyball team qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games, after a Saturday night 3-0 crushing of rivals Canada.

 

Cuba's captain, Yumilka Ruiz, who scored 17 points in the Saturday final of the North and Central America and Caribbean Olympic Qualifier, also won the competition's Most Valuable Player award, after being nominated as the top attacker and second highest scorer.

 

Porto Rico's Sarai Alvarez was the top scorer and compatriot Debora Seihamer, who plays the specialist defense position the libero, won the tournament's best defender award.

 

Canada's Tasha Holness won the tournament's best blocker award and Larissa Cundy won best passer.

 

The Dominican Republic's Cosiri Rodriguez was the best receiver. Mexico's Celida Cordova won best server and Xitlali Herrera won the Star Newcomer award for the best player under 20, a category created in this year's World Cup which was held in Japan.

 

Cuba is the fifth team to qualify and has now qualified for the Olympics in volleyball eight times, including Saturday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2007)