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TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 13, 2022.- Mexico
came back to down Dominican Republic 3-1 (21-25,
25-12, 25-23, 25-21) in their first victory at
the Men’s NORCECA Final Six Pan American Cup at
the Amado Nervo Auditorium of Tepic, Nayarit.
After falling in the first set, Mexico battled
tough to even the scores and finish earning
their tournament win to improve to a 1-2 record.
Dominicans’ strong effort recovering from a
four-point deficit (8-12) in the fourth set
wasn’t enough and dropped to an 0-3 overall
record.
Mexico out blocked Dominican Republic with a
13-7 margin; they also outnumbered with a huge
8-1 advantage in aces and a 51-42 margin in
attacks. Mexico had 31 scoring errors while
Dominican Republic had 24.
Opposite hitter Diego Gonzalez led Mexico with a
match-high of 20 points on 17 kills, 2 blocks
and one ace. Two other Mexican players scored
double-digits, middle blocker Axel Tellez
Rodriguez with 19 points on a match-high of 4
blocks and serves, and middle blocker Jonathan
Martinez tallied 11 points.
Dominican outside hitter Wilfrido Hernandez
topped with 15 points, opposite hitter Henry
Tapia added 12 points and outside hitter Hector
Cruz chipped in with 10 points.
On Thursday Mexico will play the United States,
both have 1-2 record, while Dominican Republic
(0-3) meets Canada (2-1).
Christian Aranda, Setter of Mexico:
“The team needed this win, we have been working
well, in the past matches we came off short in
decisive points and we couldn’t close. Dominican
Republic has been working well for some years
now and facing them is always challenging, so we
can’t keep our heads down. Concentration was the
key, and we enjoyed the game more. Tomorrow the
United States is a stronger team than Dominican
Republic and we are aiming for the qualification
to defend our title”.
Bryan Turbides Pepen, Libero of Dominican
Republic:
“We started off well, but Mexico shorten the
distance and we weren’t compenetrating, we
weren’t understanding ourselves. We tried to do
it better, but it wasn’t possible. We have three
losses, but we will keep on fighting to give our
best. We will keep working for future wins”.
Jorge Azair, Head Coach of Mexico:
“With Dominican Republic we know each other well
and they always make our game difficult, but
today we were able to win. The guys knew how to
come out of difficulties, our substitutions did
their job changing the rhythm and keeping things
calm, that was the key in our victory. We
performed under pressure, it’s a responsibility
playing at home and the guys must learn to
manage it better, being committed to represent
their country. Tomorrow is a hard duel against
the United States, they are a well-structured
team and we are going after the qualification,
my team is capable of winning”. |
