Colombia reaches first ever title match at CACG

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, July 24, 2018. - Colombia reached for the first time ever in the history of women’s volleyball at Central American and Caribbean Games, the title match after dominating Mexico in semifinals by 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20) at Humberto Perea Colliseum in Barranquilla.

Colombia’s historic victory in front of a noisy crowd, secures them their first medal ever while the wait the winner of the other semifinal between defending champion Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Host Colombia came out on top leading the offense with pounding spikes pocketing the first set with huge margin. Mexico’s reaction in the next sets was quick only to win the second set while Colombia remained dominant.

Colombia only led in spikes 59-48; both scored 9 points on blocks and 3 points on aces. Mexico allowed 26 points in unforced errors while Colombia limited theirs to 16 points.

Wing spiker Dayana Segovia led the home team with 24 points on 19 kills, 4 blocks and one ace, wing spiker Amanda Caneo contributed with 16 points on kills, middle blocker Melissa Rangel scored 14 points, including 5 blocks and wing spiker Margarita Martinez added 10 points. Mexico’s offense was conducted by opposite Andrea Rangel with a match-high of 29 points on 24 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces, Samantha Bricio chipped in with 11 points on 10 kills and one ace, and Melanie Parra scored 10 points.

Brazilian Antonio Rizola, coach of Colombia said with tears in his eyes “we are adding, I’ve been here for a year, we have achieved historic results at U-18 Pan Am Cup, at South American senior level, qualifying to Pan American Games and a historic first podium ever at Central American and Caribbean Games. It’s an enormous satisfaction with my gratitude to a country that believed in my work. The emotions are big because we have the chance to do our job and have these results in retribution to Colombia’s sports authorities”.

Cuban Ricardo Naranjo, coach of Mexico said it was a very difficult match “my girls were solid; they gave their best effort to move forward. We were able to hush the crowd for a moment and we continued to play. This growth, we must learn that for these events our preparation must be wider, with practice matches to underscore our given opponents. I am satisfied with my team’s effort”.