USA shows strength against determined Mexico team

GATINEAU, Canada, August 18, 2010 – The United States once again showed it can be down at times but never out as they defeated Mexico 25-22, 25-19, 25-19 at the NORCECA junior men’s volleyball championships at the Centre-Sportif de Gatineau.

‘’We didn’t start out each set very well,’’ said U.S. head coach John Hawks.  ‘’But I got to give our guys a lot of credit.  We made the necessary plays to get us going.  Still we knew we were going to play a very strong opponent in Mexico. It was a big test for us.’’

Taylor Crabb led the Americans in scoring with 13 points, Maurice Torres added 12 and Taylor Sander 11.  The Americans finish first in pool C with a 3-0 record.

‘’We were really surprised with how much fire they came out with,’’ said U.S., captain Dylan Davis.  ‘’We were not expecting that and it caught off us guard. But we came back and fought through it.’’

Mexico finishes 2-1 and advances to the quarterfinals.  Juan Revualta was the top Mexican scorer with a game high 14 points.

‘’The team did their best and they were really trying,’’ said Mexico’s head coach Francisco Javier Jimenez Espitia.  ‘’But things didn’t work out.  The U.S., were very well prepared and they are a very strong team.’’

‘’We played to the best of our abilities and this game is going to help us in the playoffs,’’ said Mexico’s captain Jorge Barajas.