Brilliant Providencia are the champions again

Action from the final between Providencia and Manquehue
Providencia sort out their tactics
Círculo Militar beat Mendoza Regatas in the boys´final
The Brazilians celebrate their success

Providencia´s girls are celebrating retaining their title in their home-town tournament after beating Manquehue in a gripping final.

Providencia – Manquehue had beaten Providencia 3-2 in a thriller in the group stage of the Copa Providencia, the international Under-17 volleyball competition.

It meant the hosts went into the final at the Gimnasio Santa Isabel with a point to prove, though they didn´t have things all their own way.

In front of a packed crowd, it was Manquehue who drew first blood, taking the opening game 25-20.

For long parts of the second game it looked as though ‘las germanas’ would increase their lead, but that was when Providencia stepped up a gear. They pinched the game 26-24 to level the match.

After that, they gained the upper hand and secured a 3-1 victory by taking the last two games 25-20 and 25-19.

Boston College earned third place by beating Universidad Católica 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 14-25, 25-17).

Meanwhile, Brazil´s Círculo Militar won the boys´ title in emphatic style with a 3-0 win against Argentina´s Mendoza Regatas.

The Brazilians, backed by their noisy supporters, were simply too strong for their opponents. Their speed, power and combinations were high class and it showed on the scoreboard (25-21, 25-17, 25-13).

Universidad Católica earned third place with a thrilling 3-2 win against Providencia, last year´s champions. Católica edged it 20-25, 25-19, 25-21, 18-25, 15-10.

The two-week competition attracted teams from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia, as well as the hosts. More than 240 players took part in almost 100 matches and they demonstrated a high level of skill and sportsmanship.