Venezuela advances to men’s final match

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico, July 28, 2010 – Venezuela scored a convincing straight-set  victory (25-21, 25-21, 25-16) over Mexico to advance to the men’s volleyball gold medal match at the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games. The Venezuelans dominated in the game at the net with a 15-5 advantage in blocks and established an 8-2 gap in serving aces.

Ivan Marquez was the best scorer of the winning side with 14 points, including three aces. Maximo Montoya and Harry Gomez each charted 13 points with four and two blocks respectively, and Luis Diaz added 8. Mexican Jose Martell topped his side with 8 points while Iván Contreras and Samuel Cordova registered 7 apiece.

“We are very happy with this victory since Venezuela had not been playing in the gold medal match in recent years,” Gomez said. “Our young players performed well, especially Maximo, and that forces the veteran players to commit themselves with our clear goal of winning the gold.”

Mexican Contreras commented: “We had moments of good volleyball and others of poor volleyball. It is a shame that we couldn’t keep the pressure in the first two sets. Tomorrow’s match is very important and we are going for it.”