Argentina downs USA in five sets in first Pan Am win

LIMA, Peru, August 7, 2019. - Argentina downed United States 3-2 (25-17, 25-17, 20-25, 18-25, 15-10) in first Lima 2019 Pan American Games win on day one at the Multisport Complex El Callao of Lima, Peru.

United States leveled the actions from a two-set deficit remaining calm to get into better rhythm trying to stop Argentina’s faster game level. Finally, Argentina kept on pushing until winning their first outing in pool A.

Argentina prevailed on 7-1 advantage on serves and scoring on U.S. 33 unforced errors against 22. The Americans led with 56-53 margin in attacks and 15-12 in blocks.

Opposite player Lucia Fresco of Argentina scored a match-high of 23 points on 21 kills and 2 blocks. Also in Argentina’s win, Middle blockers Candelaria Herrera and Julieta Lazcano contributed with 11 (including 4 aces) and 10 points respectively. Outside hitter Kingdon Rishel led United States with 18 points on 15 kills and 3 blocks, followed by opposite player Krystal Rivers with 15 points coming off the bench and middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan with 13 points all on kills.

Argentina’s (1-0) next opponent is Brazil (1-0) and United States (0-1) faces Puerto Rico (0-1).

Comments:

Hernán Ferraro, Head coach of Argentina: “I am glad to have won, it’s a pity we couldn’t keep the same consistency as the first two sets despite their (USA) improvement changing their setter”.

Julieta Lazcno, captain of Argentina: “We started playing really good, we have been struggling from beginning well and then getting worse; at least today we reversed the situation”.

Robert Browning, Head coach of United States: “Obviously it was a very good game. Unlike Argentina, we started off bad; we recovered with some changes. In the end of the fifth set we had some errors, while Argentina didn’t. I am proud of my girls for recovering from 0-2 and they finished well”.

Kingdon Rishel, captain of United States: “I think our team played well at the end; we started a little bit slow but we figured it out towards the last couple of sets and I’m proud of the way we fought. We made a lot of mistakes against a really good Argentina”