Cuba was tested early before overcoming Peru in straight sets in Sendai on Wednesday for its second win in two days at the 2007 women's volleyball World Cup.

 

With the 29-27, 25-19 and 25-13 victory, Cuba improved its win-loss record to 3-2 while Peru slipped to 1-4.

 

Peru started strongly, setting well through 17-year-old Zoyla La Rosa and delivering some fine spikes while the Cuban women were sluggish and lacking their usual strong spiking power coming off their third straight full sets battle on Tuesday.

 

Three Cuban errors allowed Peru a three-point lead at 21-18, but two spikes by Nancy Carrillo and a great block by Yumilka Ruiz brought the scores closer before Ruiz leveled it at 22-all with a triple spike after some outstanding Peru defense.

 

After the two sides fought to ties at 26 and 27, Daimi Ramirez walloped a big spike and Rosir Calderon blocked Carla Tristan to clinch the set.

 

"Peru plays with a unique style with a good strategy on serving and blocking, so we had to use a different style ourselves to counter this," said Cuba coach Antonio Perdomo. "In the first set, they played better than us and we almost lost the set, but as the match wore on, we got into a rhythm and that helped us to win."

 

In the last two sets, Peru went down more tamely.

 

"We often play against Peru and they are always difficult to play against, so I am pleased with today's win," said Ruiz. "From now on, we must hope we continue to win and end up with a good result in the competition."

 

Carrillo led Cuba with 12 points with Ramirez adding 11.

 

Also in Sendai, Poland bounced back from a five-set loss to Cuba on Tuesday to sweep Kenya 25-12, 25-10 and 25-15.

 

In Osaka, Serbia beat Dominican Republic 25-22, 25-14 and 25-23 to improve to 4-1 while South Korea beat Thailand 25-21, 25-20 and 25-21.

 

The Thais have yet to find a win after five matches in the 12-team round-robin tournament.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 8, 2007)