Mexico Secures Fifth Place at U17 Pan American Cup

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, May 31, 2026. – Mexico claimed fifth place at the Girls’ U17 Pan American Cup after defeating Puerto Rico 3-1 (16-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-12) on Sunday at Jorge Galeano Gymnasium in Tegucigalpa.

Mexico rebounded after dropping the opening set to finish with a 2-2 win-loss record in the tournament, while Puerto Rico closed in sixth place with a 1-3 balance.

Puerto Rico started strong, racing to a 10-1 lead behind Arianna Pantojas, Elizmar Vázquez, and Anna Aquino. Effective blocking from Aquino and Carinialys Kuilan Roman kept Mexico’s offense in check, and Eliany Quiñones added a block over Evelyn Díaz to reach set point. A kill from Kelysha Domínguez sealed the first set for Puerto Rico.

Mexico responded in the second set with improved blocking and powerful attacks from Rebeka Negrete. Maia Villalpando contributed key points at the net, helping Mexico establish an 18-12 lead. Despite a late surge from Pantojas and Aquino, Mexico held firm to even the match.

The third set was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging the lead. Mexico pulled ahead 19-16 thanks to Emily Camarena’s kill and opponent errors. Isabella Gallardo’s offense in the middle proved decisive, and Negrete closed the set with a kill.

In the fourth, Mexico surged to a double-digit advantage (20-10) with Villalpando’s serves and Camarena’s attacks. Puerto Rico saved two match points, but Díaz sealed the victory with a final kill.

Mexico led in attacks (46-37) and serves (11-8), while Puerto Rico held a slim edge in blocks (9-8). Mexico committed 22 errors compared to Puerto Rico’s 26.

Five Mexican players scored in double digits: Emily Camarena (14), Evelyn Díaz (13), Isabella Gallardo and Maia Villalpando (12 each), and Rebeka Negrete. Puerto Rico’s Carinialys Kuilan led all scorers with 15 points, followed by Aquino with 12.

Mexico’s head coach Migdalel Juárez reflected on the match: “It was a very difficult start, the players were totally unfocused, and it was very complicated to bring them back so we wouldn’t have to play a fifth set.”

On her conclusions regarding the result, she added: “There is a lot of work to be done before the World Championship.”