Mexico Claims Semifinal Spot

at the Pan American Cup

LEÓN, Guanajuato, August 29, 2025.- Mexico claimed its place in the semifinals of the 18th Men’s Pan American Cup after defeating the United States 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 25-23) in the quarterfinals at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.

The Mexican squad will face defending champion Canada in the semifinals, while Venezuela and Colombia will battle in the other bracket. The United States, meanwhile, will play in the classification round for positions 5 to 8, starting against Puerto Rico.

The first set was tight up to an 11-point tie, when Mexico took control thanks to American errors and the attack of Alexis Garay. With Axel Téllez and Garay leading the offense, the home team maintained the edge. Franky Hernández, first from the service line and then with a back-row attack, pushed the score to 24-20. Ryan Barnett saved one set point, but Oziel Aguirre sealed the set for Mexico.

In the second set, the United States dominated from start to finish with a powerful attack led by Isaiah Preuitt, Nolan Flexen, and Parker Van Buren, leaving Mexico unable to catch up.

Parity returned in the third set until the 10-10 mark, when Mexico managed to pull ahead and hold the lead. Hernández’s serve proved decisive, complicating the U.S. reception and putting the hosts up 22-19. Daniel Wetter closed the gap with a kill, but Hernández struck again, and two U.S. errors handed the set to Mexico.

The fourth set saw the United States fighting to even the score, but Mexico held on to a slim advantage after taking a 15-13 lead. Although Kyle Hobus, Cameron Thorne, and Flexen tried to force a fifth set with consecutive points, it wasn’t enough. Aguirre, from the wing, sealed Mexico’s victory with the match-winning point.

Oziel Aguirre led all scorers with 17 points, followed by Hernández with 15 and Garay with 13. For the United States, Flexen tallied 16 points and Barnett added 11.

Franky Hernández explained Mexico’s strategy: “The United States is a high-level team with tall players. Our coach instructed us to play long defense and secure blocks, with a triple cross defense to stop their most effective player (Flexen). We are already in the semifinals, and we are going to fight to reach the final.”