Mexico captures third place in Olympic qualification tourney

 

MONCTON, Canada, September 19, 2026. – Mexico topped Dominican Republic in straight sets Saturday to take the bronze medal in the NORCECA Olympic qualification tournament.

 

Mexico beat the upstart Dominicans 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-23) to wrap up their time at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, Canada.

 

Dominican Republic had surprised the Mexicans with an upset win in Monday’s continental championship quarter-final but could not repeat the feat despite leading briefly in the second set and for much of the third.

 

Mexico overpowered them in attacks (50-38) and blocks (10-3), while each team had two aces. Franky Milantony led the Mexicans in scoring with 17 points while Diego González added 14. Juan Garcia had a match-high five blocks.

 

Hector Cruz paced the Dominican attack with 13 points, while Adrian Figueroa was close behind with 12. Enger Miguel Mieses was the top digger with 10 for Dominican Republic.

 

Carlos Schwanke, Mexico coach: “Well deserved for the team, we came back today to the level we were supposed to play the first match against the Dominican Republic. Today was great, we earned ranking points to put us in a good position and hopefully world championships next year.”

 

Franky Hernández Milantony, player: “First of all, I think we were more than ready for this game. It was a kind of rematch we were looking for, so our expectations were high and the result was good.”

 

On Moncton as host city: “It was beautiful. The people were wonderful, they’re such good people and I love that (the Avenir Centre) is so full and so big.”