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AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, August 15, 2021.-
Dominican Republic beat Mexico 3-0 (25-20,
25-19, 25-22) in the gold medal match to become
five-time U23 Women’s Pan American Champions on
Sunday night at Aguascalientes.
Madeline Guillen scored a tournament high of 22
points, on 18 attacks and 4 blocks to help
Dominican Republic finish the tournament with
perfect mark and retaining their championship
for the fifth time, the same number of editions
of the event.
Mexican leading scorers were outside hitters
Grecia Castro and Atenas Gutierrez with 12 and
11 points respectively
Dominican Republic´s strongest skill was their
blocking, subduing Mexico with an impressive
16-9 advantage. Mexico held a one-point
advantage in attacks (33-32); both teams scored
one ace. Dominicans limited their unforced
errors to 18 points in comparison of 26 from the
Mexican side.
Camila De La Rosa, Captain of Dominican
Republic: “We are really happy and we prepared a
lot for this victory, we trained hard and cried.
This is a great responsibility because we have
dominated this tournament since it was created;
we did all we needed to do”.
Grecia Castro, Captain of Mexico: “We weren’t
able to be on the top of the podium but we are
satisfied because Mexico had never reached a
final in this category. We did our best effort,
for some of the players it’s their first
international experience”.
Wagner Pacheco, Coach of Dominican Republic:
“Today’s key was receiving, because I knew the
attacking and blocking was going to work, we
scored 16 points on blocks and received to 70%
efficiency. Our attack prevailed, the unity of
the team and the girls played when they really
needed to play”.
Luis Alberto León, Coach of Mexico: “We
accomplished two objectives, qualifying to Cali
and reaching the final match for the first time
for Mexico. We had possibilities of winning the
gold, we have the team, but the sport experience
of Dominican Republic was the difference; added
to failing too many serves and our attacking was
off tonight”. |
