Mexico to Play for Fifth Place in NORCECA U21

NOGALES, Mexico, June 15, 2024. - Mexico will compete for the fifth place in the Men’s U21  NORCECA Continental Championship against Suriname after defeating Nicaragua in straight sets 25-17, 25-16, 25-18 on Saturday in Nogales, Mexico.

The host team, Mexico, will face Suriname on Sunday, who earlier defeated Guatemala. Nicaragua goes against Guatemala for seventh place.

Mexico dominated all statistics, leading in attacks (43-28), blocks (7-0), and service aces (5-3). Both teams committed 20 errors.

Outside hitter Samuel Valdes and opposite hitter Cristian Cadena each scored 11 points for Mexico, while Brandon Ramírez added 10 points.

For Nicaragua, middle blocker Alvaro Quesada and outside hitter Evans Solís scored 8 and 7 points, respectively.

Mexico used all their players in the match. Carlos García, who came in for the final points, scored the match-winning point with a block.

Carlos García, said, “It was my first time entering a game, I came in to finish the match with the instruction to block, and that’s what I did. Mexico showed great unity, and the coach’s strategy worked”.

Nicaragua's setter, Rafael Gómez Escalante, commented, "Nicaragua always plays with the mentality of fighting to win, no matter the opponent. With each match, we keep learning and growing. We are a team with little experience; we adapt well, but we need to be more organized."