Mexico Beats Canada to Set Up Semifinal Against Puerto Rico

ZINACANTEPEC, Mexico, September 25, 2026.- Host Mexico closed the preliminary round of the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Final Six with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-9, 25-19) victory over Canada on Friday at the Unidad Deportiva Juan Fernández Albarrán in Zinacantepec, Estado de México.

Mexico finished the round robin in second place with a 4-1 record and will face Puerto Rico in Saturday’s semifinals at 8:00 p.m. The United States will meet Cuba in the first semifinal at 6:00 p.m.

Canada will face the Dominican Republic for fifth place on Sunday.

Mexico controlled the match with a 42-28 advantage in attacks, while also leading 5-0 in blocks and 8-2 in aces. The hosts committed 16 errors compared to Canada’s 20.

Mexico rotated its lineup and rested some of its main offensive players but still produced a balanced performance. Uxue Guereca led Mexico with 14 points on nine kills, two blocks and three aces, while Grecia Castro and Michelle Lizarraga added 11 points apiece. Sara Gray led Canada with eight points.

After taking the opening set 25-18, Mexico delivered its strongest performance in the second, controlling play from the start and holding Canada to nine points. The hosts maintained control through most of the third set, although Canada reduced the difference late before Mexico closed out the match 25-19.

Arleth Márquez, middle blocker of Mexico: “The match had some ups and downs. There were moments when we were well ahead, but suddenly they would catch up, and things weren’t working for us. In the second set, our passing worked very well, the block settled in and our attack was superior. Tomorrow we’re going all out in the semifinal against Puerto Rico.”

Sara Gray, Canada’s top scorer: “We came here with a lot of learning opportunities. I think we’ve kept fighting every single day, and I’m very proud of what we’ve learned on the court considering the short time we had together before coming here. I’m proud of the fight we’ve shown. We still have one match left, and we’re going to come out and give it our all.”