Brazil finish first round with perfect record

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 16, 2012 - Brazil finished with a perfect 5-0 record in Pool B of the preliminary round of the XI Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup following the 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-21) victory over Mexico who concluded with 0-5 mark.

Brazil led 8-6 in blocks and 7-1 in aces. Natasha Farinea and Priscila Dairot each had 9 points for Brazil while Gabriela Braga and Juliana De Souza contributed 7 apiece. Mexico’s Alejandra Isiordia had a match-high 15 points and Claudia Rios registered 8.

“We didn’t have a good start but then we focused better and got the victory,” Brazil’s Farinea said. “I am very happy to reach the semifinals and now we have to prepare for the next phase.”

“Our team is playing better but still lack the concentration,” Mexico’s Karla Sainz said. “That’s an area where we need to continue working.”

“It is good for our young players to achieve the first goal of reaching the semifinals,” Brazil’s Claudio Pinheiro said. “It is important for their growth and now we have to prepare for a tough semifinal match no matter the opponent.”

“The match today was marked by the hierarchy of a team over the other,” Mexico’s coach Etanislao Vachino said. “We did what they allowed us to do when they became a little over confident.”