Mexico Defeats Puerto Rico in Five Sets

to Reach The Final Six Gold Medal Match

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco, September 20, 2025. – Mexico delivered a thrilling five-set victory over Puerto Rico, 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 15-12), to advance to the gold medal match of the 2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Six, held at Unidad Deportiva López Mateos in Guadalajara.

With this victory, Mexico secures its second-ever appearance in the gold medal match, having previously earned silver in 2021. After falling to Cuba in the 2023 bronze medal match, Mexico rebounded in 2024 to claim bronze over Puerto Rico. This year, they will meet undefeated USA for the gold medal, while Puerto Rico will face the Dominican Republic for bronze. Puerto Rico’s best finish remains their bronze medal from 2022.

The match lived up to its billing as a classic rivalry showdown, echoing their five-set preliminary round battle earlier in the tournament.

Puerto Rico opened strong, never trailing in the first set, powered by Decelise Champion and Valeria Vázquez, and capitalizing on Mexico’s errors and a dominant blocking performance from Neira Ortiz.

Mexico struck back in the second set, overcoming an early deficit to tie at 19 before pulling away behind a 15-6 attacking advantage. Sofía Maldonado led the charge offensively, while Jocelyn Urías’ key block shifted momentum.

Puerto Rico regained control in the third, jumping to a 20-14 lead behind Ortiz’s defense at the net. Despite two late blocks from Urías, Puerto Rico held on to take a 2-1 match lead.

The fourth set was tightly contested, tied at 17 before Mexico’s dynamic duo of Maldonado and Melanie Parra powered the home side to force a tie-break. A massive block from Ortiz temporarily put Puerto Rico ahead, but Mexico responded with back-to-back points – a Maldonado kill followed by a Parra service winner – to seal the set.

In the decisive fifth set, Mexico jumped ahead 3-0 with Maldonado scoring all three points, but Puerto Rico stormed back to lead 9-7 with contributions from Paola Santiago, Champion, and Ortiz. Urías’ crucial block against Dariana Hollingsworth secured Mexico’s win.

Mexico led in attacks (60-48) and service points (8-5) but committed 33 errors to Puerto Rico’s 22. Puerto Rico had the edge in blocking (17-12).

Maldonado delivered a spectacular 26 points, supported by Melanie Parra’s 22. For Puerto Rico, Decelise Champion scored 21 points, followed closely by Neira Ortiz with 19 including an impressive 12 blocking points and Valeria Vazquez added 12 points.

Aimé Topete of Mexico said after defeating Puerto Rico: “We have all the emotions. From the first set to the fifth, it was very demanding. We had ups and downs, but we are celebrating a great victory. Our statistician has prepared everything for the next match, and it will be our responsibility to execute.”