Mexico Ends NORCECA U17 Pool Play with Win Over Puerto Rico

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 6, 2025. – Mexico closed pool play with a straight-set victory over Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-17) at the 2025 NORCECA Girls’ U17 Continental Championship, being held at the Gimnasio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica.

The defending NORCECA U17 champions, Mexico, finished second in Pool B with a 2-1 record, while Puerto Rico (1-2) placed third. Both teams will compete in Friday’s quarterfinals. The United States, first in Pool B with a perfect record, secured a direct berth to the semifinals.

Mexico held a dominant 40-19 advantage in attacks and led serves 5-0, while Puerto Rico was stronger in blocks (8-4). Mexico committed one fewer error than Puerto Rico (25-26).

Mexico’s captain Emily Camarena led all scorers with 15 points (14 attacks, 1 ace), followed by middle blocker Isabella Gallardo with 11 points (7 attacks, 3 blocks, 1 ace). For Puerto Rico, Carinialys Román contributed 7 points.

Mexico stormed through the first set with powerful attacks, quickly building a 16-9 lead and maintaining control with effective offensive contributions from Camarena, Evelyn Díaz, and Gallardo.

Puerto Rico started strong in the second set, leading 8-4 thanks to Eliany Quiñones and Anna Aquino. Despite Puerto Rico’s momentum and a key block from Elsie Faccio over Camarena, Mexico’s fighting spirit and solid defense allowed them to recover. Two Puerto Rican errors and a kill from Gallardo tied the set at 16, before Gallardo and Karina Campos led Mexico ahead 19-16 to take the set.

Mexico returned to its dominant rhythm in the third set, jumping to a 13-7 lead with high energy and strong offense. Puerto Rico, with Kelysha Domínguez and Alicia Sengstack, fought to close the gap but could not contain Mexico’s momentum. Leading 18-11, Mexico sealed the match with Díaz’s strong attacks. After missing two match points due to a block from Kamila Colón and a hitting error by Camarena, the captain herself scored the final point with a decisive kill.

Migdalel Ruiz, Mexico’s Head Coach: “It was a tough match. Puerto Rico has excellent players. We worked well, and that’s why we got today’s result. We came from behind in the second set; we always tell the girls not to give up, and we managed to pull it off.”

Ernesto Ricolt, Puerto Rico’s Head Coach, said: “It was a very difficult game. We weren’t consistent in defense and attack. We need to work on that. In the next round, I hope we have better game situations.”