Mexico opens Women’s U23 Pan Am Cup defeating Costa Rica

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, August 11, 2021. - Mexico opened the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup that qualifies four teams to the Junior Pan American Games of Cali, defeating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-18) at the Olympic Gymnasium in Aguascalientes.

Mexico opened defeating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-18). Mexico´s well directed serves neutralized Costa Rica who led in set three 11-7 reading the home team’s attacking system.

Mexico led by a huge 10-1 margin in serves, 31-20 in kills and 8-5 in blocks. The winners scored on 26 opponent errors while handing out 19 points on unforced errors.

Three Mexican players scored double digits, outside hitter Atenas Gutiérrez with a match-high of 19 points, opposite Marian Ovalle with 11 points and outside hitter Grecia Castro with 10 points. Outside hitter María Sofía Arroyo led Costa Rica with 10 points and Tamara Espinoza contributed with 7 points.

On day two, Costa Rica (0-1) plays Puerto Rico (1-0) and Guatemala (0-1) meets Mexico (1-0).

Grecia Castro Captain of Mexico: “This was a steady match, we were able to control and each one of us did their job for a good outcome; it didn’t make a difference the little time we had together to prepare. I believe we got relaxed after winning the first set by a huge advantage, but we managed to seal with good serves and strong attacks”.

Mariana Rodríguez Captain of Costa Rica: “We performed orderly and respected our tactics; this is something that we usually do. We got out of our system but our objective of qualifying to Cali remains. The beginning of a tournament is always hard because you aren’t familiar with the court. Every one of our matches are decisive, we must follow instructions and continue to do what we’ve been practicing; we performed well against Mexico. Putting a mark on the middles with fast moves worked out and we must continue like that, gaining more confidence showed by weakening their outside hitters; our performance has to be smart”.

Luis Alberto León Coach of Mexico: “It is important for the team spirit to start a tournament by winning. We didn’t know anything from our opponent, no statistics and my team got a little relaxed and Costa Rica took good advantage adjusting well and it worked out for them, we directed better our serves and attacking from position four helped us take back control. Tomorrow we face Guatemala, we saw them play and have statistic and that gives us more confidence”.

Carlos Quesada Coach of Costa Rica: “The instruction was to stop their outside hitters, manage to take advantage that their defense is far which leaves the center of the court unattended and my girls forgot about it. We wanted their outside hitters to move into defense instead of attacking because they are really strong and that their setter had to use other resources; it worked out more constant in the third set, I am sure that in numbers Mexico’s attack was less effective, we controlled their middles and their opposite, but Mexico is a tough opponent. We must work double, my girls are motivated, we have two more matches to win and our goal to qualify to Cali remains”.