Mexico Struggles to Defeat Chile and Will Face Puerto Rico for Fifth Place

IRAPUATO, Mexico, August 24, 2024 - Mexico recovered from losing the third set to win 3-1 (28-26, 25-12, 22-25, 25-14) against Chile and will play for fifth place in the 21st Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup against Puerto Rico.

Mexico will face Puerto Rico for fifth place in the Cup, while Chile will play against Canada for seventh place.

Mexico struggled in the first set but used their experience, with two good defenses and counterattacks with hits from Uxue Guereca and Grecia Castro, to take the set 28-26.

The second set was an easy win for Mexico, pulling ahead from the start, but in the third, they struggled from the beginning with Chile leading 8-1, then 18-13. Mexico put pressure on at 19-18, but Beatriz Novoa, Petra Schwartzman, and María Nielsen managed to finish the set, reducing the set score to 1-2.

Once again, in the fourth set, Mexico showed their strength and secured the match in front of a good number of fans who came to the Inforum in Irapuato to support their team.

Mexico outperformed Chile in attacks 61-47, in blocking 10-4 (with four from Jocelyn Urias), and in service aces 6-3, with both teams committing 23 errors.

Grecia Castro, with 21 points, was Mexico’s top scorer, Jocelyn Urias finished with 15, and María Rodríguez added 12 points. For Chile, Beatriz Novoa scored 17 points, and Petra Schwartzman finished with 16.

Jocelyn Urias, captain of Mexico: “We really wanted to finish the match in three sets, but we struggled in the third. I think we got a bit overconfident, but in the fourth set, we were able to refocus and secure the win. We really appreciate the support from the fans; of course, I would love for more people to come to watch our matches, but we are happy with the support, both here and in León”.

Nicola Negro, coach of Mexico: “We are happy with the victory; we didn’t play our best game. Yesterday against Argentina, I think we played our best game of the Cup so far, but we didn’t get the win. Today we felt a bit of fatigue, the seventh day, seven games, and we had a mix of good and not-so-good moments.”