Mexico downs Honduras in their debut at U18 Pan Am Cup

DURANGO, Mexico, May 21, 2019. - Mexico downed Honduras 3-0 (25-14, 25-5, 25-13) in their pool A debut at the fifth U18 Girls’ Pan American Cup at Auditorio del Pueblo of Durango, Mexico.

The home girls had a splendid debut in the event that grants two tickets to the age-group FIVB World Championship, using all their players in the victory over Honduras in 58 minutes.

Mexico won with overwhelming 34-11 margin in attacks, 4-1 in blocks and crushing 16-0 in serves. They finished with similar amount of errors; Mexico committed 20 and Honduras with 21.

Mexico’s middle blocker Sofía Maldonado was the only player with double-figures, scoring 11 points including 2 blocks and 4 aces; outside hitter Melanie Parra and middle blocker Izabella Ceratti chipped in with 9 points each. Honduras’ opposite player Rocio Duron and outside hitter Dazly Duran scored 4 points apiece.

In their next performance, Mexico (1-0) will play against Chile (0-1), while Honduras (0-1) meets Dominican Republic (1-0).

Mexico’s captain Melanie Parra of sixteen years of age expressed “most of the team are newcomers in the national team and I think they were nervous; as the match developed we were more composed. Our serves today, which I consider one of our weapons, didn’t work well. My experience helps me to support my team and motivate them to move forward”.

Head coach of Mexico Ricardo Ponce spoke about giving everyone a chance to touch court “we had this idea and the game accommodated well to do so, rotating the players gives stability and confidence to prepare them for any opponent. What I like the most was their self-confidence, this was their first international match except for Melanie; I was surprised with their energy and their desire to do things well”.

Catarine Leiva Honduras’ head coach said she is not disappointed “the scores speak for themselves, for their first international experience, facing the host; they are all young and their first time playing together, so I think it wasn’t that bad.  Yes, there is a lot to improve but the nerves of the first match have past and I expect them to go from less to more”.