Argentina defeated Puerto Rico in a dramatic final in Ponce to lift the Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup title for the first time ©Volleyball Argentina/Twitter

Argentina captured the Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup title for the first time after defeating hosts Puerto Rico in Ponce.

The Argentinean team had never previously reached the final but seized their opportunity, upsetting the home crowd with a thrilling win over Puerto Rico at the Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicéns.

Having dropped the opening two sets, Puerto Rico came clawing back and threatened to pull off a sensational comeback.

Puerto Rico had taken the match to a decider only for Argentina to complete a 25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 15-6 triumph.

Pilar Marie Victoria scored a game-high 22 points but it was not enough to help Puerto Rico seal their first Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup crown.

Bianca Cugno led the scoring for Argentina with 16 points, while Yamila Nizetich, Daniela Bulaich, Candelaria Herrera and Erika Mercado also got into double figures.

The Dominican Republic had won the past two editions of the event but failed to make the final on this occasion after losing a five-setter to Puerto Rico in the semi-finals.

They also finished without a medal after going down 25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 27-25 to the United States.

It was a third successive bronze for the US, whose wait for an eighth title goes on having last triumphed in 2019.