|
HAVANA, Cuba, October 4, 2022.- The Chilean team
won 3-0 to Dominican Republic in their Men’s U21
Pan American Cup debut in a challenging closing
battle by 25-17, 25-21 and 40-38 that lasted
almost two hours.
Chile, who couldn’t play the first day due to
flight delays, overcame the Caribbeans in
attacks (41-40), blocks (11-7) and serves (6-4).
Four players added 14 points during the match,
South Americans Rafael Fuentes and Antar Derpich,
as well as Dominicans Ronny Molina and Antonio
Gómez. Two other Chileans achieved double
digits, Leonardo Menéndez (11) and Martin Collao
(10).
Iván Villarreal, head coach of Chile said “a
debut always has complications, mostly in this
base category because of how to control
emotions, stress, and the fear to fail.
Volleyball permanently is testing you and, on
most occasions, athletes are overwhelmed
emotionally”.
“The first two sets their game was pretty solid,
the serves did well, and the rotation was fluid.
We had an emotional crisis in the last set, but
in the end, we were able to react against
several set points against us and close it with
an unusual score (40-38)”.
Opposite hitter Derpich described the match as
very hard “we know that up against Dominican
Republic, who has a smooth volleyball like ours,
they always fight. It was a match from more to
less, physically demanding and in this beautiful
gymnasium we hop the fans enjoyed it a lot. I am
glad to begin with the right foot, showing our
nice volleyball and I am anxious for what the
team can do”.
José Dante Manon, head coach of Dominican
Republic felt sorry “in that last sed only with
one reception we could have evened the match,
but they paid for their inexperience, we must
continue working with the boys. Our attack
failed, these are elements that happen at this
age that it’s not possible to keep the
consistency, a level and more so when there’s no
preparation for the event”.
Outside hitter Ronny Molina expressed “if we are
going to lose, we’ll do it as warriors, we
almost tied the game for a fifth set. We really
came to give everything, but things didn’t go
well like the first day, we played different. We
recovered in the third and we almost won it. I
hope we come with more tomorrow”.
|
