SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- In a match close enough, Puerto Rico had the best part and defeater Mexico 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-20 y 25-21).

Although Mexico has a ticket to the World Championship as host team next year, they made a great effort all the way looking for the victory.

Luis Garcia, coach of Puerto Rico: “Both teams played great, Mexico has elevated its level in this category, I think it is the best team I have seen in almost 16 years that I have been in volleyball, they have respect, played hard all the time, and I think they have a team with projection to the World Championship.”

Samuel Cibrian, coach of México: “It was a well played match, above all the first, a good showing of ball control from Puerto Rico, which know how to solve situations, but we also had good moments, with the young girls we have, one of the, who had the most chances to attack, is not 14 years-old yet.”

Enright Stephanie, captain of Puerto Rico: “It was a very big challenge because we are at their home, we did what was foreseen, we have the focus on quallifying to the Worlds and this is the first success of more that we are expecting and I know we are going to win.”

Xitlati Herrera, captain of Mexico: “Being the first match, we played well but couldn’t win, we were kind of nervous playing before our fans, the first set was good, but we were over confident in the second, the match demanded much from us and we were desperates and didn’t do what was needed to win.”