|
NOGALES, Sonora, June 18, 2022.- Mexico remained
undefeated at the Qualification Tournament
NORCECA Women’s Final Four after winning in
straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22) to Cuba
on Saturday night in Nogales, Sonora.
Mexico improved their record 2-0, the only
undefeated team and is the favorite to qualify
to the 2023 FIVB Final Challenger Cup.
The host prevailed 44-34 in attacks and held a
slim 5-4 margin in serves; Cuba led 7-6 in
blocks. Mexico committed 18 unforced errors and
benefited from 20 Cuban errors.
Outside hitter Samantha Bricio topped Mexico
with 13 points on 12 kills and one ace, joined
by outside hitter Grecia Castro with 9 points on
7 kills and two aces, while middle blocker
Jocelyn Urias tallied 7 points.
Cuban middle blocker Laura Suarez finished with
11 points on 8 kills, 2 blocks and one ace.
Middle blocker Dayana Martinez chipped in with 9
points and outside hitter Claudia Tarin scored 7
points.
On day three, Cuba (1-1) faces Costa Rica (0-2)
and Mexico (2-0) closes the event against Puerto
Rico (1-1).
Samantha Bricio, Top scorer of Mexico:
“We have worked hard to play like we did today,
and I believe all our supporters, technical
staff are happy with how we performed today.
Compared to Cuba, we were calm, we got out some
tough obstacles; this team is a mix of
experienced players and young ones that are
giving a lot to the team. Tomorrow, we hope to
do the same or better than today, we must close
well, win and reach our short-term objective
that is the Challenger Cup”.
Laura Suárez, Top scorer of Cuba:
“We were aware that we were facing the host team
and that they are coming for the Challenger
Nations League; we should have battled more but
sadly the victory wasn’t ours. We must learn, we
needed more energy, yesterday was more emotional
and today we didn’t do well”.
Rafael Petry, Head Coach of Mexico:
“We were expecting to win because we have worked
a lot for it, things worked well despite some
aspects out of our control. The team was
patient, they had the necessary calm to recover
in reception and transition to reach victory. We
hope for the same concentration, the same
willingness, team effort and that they work for
one another. We hope that added to our patience,
we can have other strengths, with people that
can give to the team”.
Joel Olazabal, Head Coach of Cuba:
“We thought we could have won one set to Mexico,
but we had deficiencies in passing, there is
much to work on yet. The players got desperate
because Mexico is more technical than us and
defended a lot, watching that the ball couldn’t
spike made them get confused and fall into
errors. Mexico showed more experience. Tomorrow
we must close strong, take advantage of our
height against Costa Rica and play by the
middle”.
|
