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RENO, USA (Aug. 16, 2015)
– Mexico summoned the energy needed to defeat Dominican
Republic, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23 on Sunday at the Pan American Cup.
Mexico (1-3) will play in Monday’s fifth-place match against
either the United States or Puerto Rico. Dominican Republic
(1-3) will play for seventh place.
Playing with enthusiasm, Mexico led in kills (49-32) and blocks
(7-5) while Dominican Republic led in aces (3-1). Mexico’s
hitting efficiency was .424 while Dominican Republic’s was .184.
Jorge Barajas led Mexico with 14 points on a match-high 14
spikes. Daniel Vargas added 14 points on 12 attacks and one
block. Pedro Rangel had a match-high five blocks for Mexico.
Henry Lopez paced Dominican Republic with 14 points on 11
spikes, one block and two aces. Luis Adames, who has been
Dominican Republic’s leading scorer in the tournament, was held
to nine points on seven attacks and two blocks.
Mexico head coach, Juan Roberto Vilches
“It was a very relaxed match. The guys did their jobs that was
an important thing. This was a very important match because
we’re still in the running for the world league. That was the
main objective, now we’re that much closer.”
Mexico captain, Daniel Vargas
“We the thought they were going to come out with intensity but
they didn’t. The fact that they didn’t was surprising. Because
of that we played with less pressure and didn’t commit as many
mistakes. I’m figuring we’re into the world league and we’ll get
revenge on some teams.”
Dominican Republic head coach, Jose Alvarez Cutino
“I’m concerned with my players because we weren’t consistent.
We’re still making too many mistakes and we haven’t gelled as a
team. Our first match of the tournament we did well with
receiving and passing but we’ve been terrible since. Some have
players have lowered their level of play.”
Dominican Republic captain, Jonathan Mercedes Cruz
“We’ve lowered our level of play too much. We’re not playing
together as a team. Our bodies are there but our minds are not.
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