Mexico finishes fifth with comeback over Argentina

CHINCHA, Peru, September 13, 2014. - Mexico outclassed Argentina 3-2 (25-20, 16-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13) to finish in fifth place at the II Women’s U-23 Pan-American Cup at Mauro Mina Coliseum.

Mexico began on top and after losing two sets they recovered to tie the match and finishing with a thrilling tie-break rematch as they lost to Argentina in the preliminary round in straight sets.

Outside hitter Lisbeth Sainz with 23 points and opposite player Andrea Rangel with 20 points topped the winners offensive line, while Jocelyn Urias added 10 in the match that lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes; the fourth set delayed 27 minutes to start as the shining sun over the court made it impossible to continue.

With also 23 units, Micaela Fabian led Argentina´s scorers, followed by Camila Hiruela (16), they only ones with double-figures. Argentina held advantage in service (8-5), while in blocking (11-10) and in attacks (59-49) the winners were better.

Jorge Miguel Azair, Mexican head coach said “despite the win I recognize that we need to work on some technicalities which are evident as pressure starts and it was important to win coming from behind, we fought hard and for me the most positive thing was the girls’ reaction”.

Mexican captain Andrea Rangel, recognized the match was complicated “but it was a good one, we knew how to take the win as we had our minds set to do, it’s not the result we were looking for, but we close with a victory and we are happy because each one performed well and we congratulate our opponents”.

GuillermoNazabal, coach of Argentina stated “we had the win two times, we were winning and Mexico turned things around with good attacks and winning points due to their capacity instead of our errors. In the tie-break, we were leading but in an instant we stopped making points, while they counterattacked, but in general we are satisfied, but we have to play in another way to close well, this same thing happened against Peru, losing when the match is almost in our hands”.

Opposite player Priscila Bosio, manifested “we wanted to perform the best we could, but it wasn’t possible, we fought and I believe my team didn’t find its way to victory, we always tried to move forward and they played with a lot of desire, y congratulate them”.