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LA PAZ, Baja
California Sur, June 12, 2022.-
Mexico downed Chile 3-0 (26-24,
25-11, 25-19) to win the bronze medal of the
Women’s U21 Pan American Cup on Saturday at La
Paz Arena in Baja California Sur.
Mexico snatched the first set from
Chile, recovering from a four-point deficit
20-24 in a dramatic 26-24 finish and onward to
dominate the next two sets. Mexico also beat
Chile with a sweep in pool-play.
Besides winning bronze, Mexico
qualified to the 2023 FIVB World Championship.
The hosts finished third place with a 3-2
record; this is their second medal in the
history of the event, they reached the podium
winning gold in 2013. Chile in fourth place ends
with 2-3 record.
Mexico held a 44-33 advantage in
attacks and an overwhelming 10-2 margin in
serves; both teams scored 6 points from blocks.
Mexico limited their errors to 13 and scored on
16 points from Chilean errors.
Mexican team captain Aime Topete
scored a match-high of 23 points on 19 kills,
one block and three aces. The other player with
double-figures was opposite hitter Katherine
Cruz with 11 points on 7 kills, two points on
blocks and two on serves.
Opposite hitter Petra Schwarzman led
Chile with 15 points on 13 kills and two blocks.
Luis León, Head Coach of Mexico:
“Both teams had their
energy low after losing semifinals. This was our
fifth match against Chile, we had three friendly
matches and two here in the tournament, we know
each other well, statistically, tendencies and
trajectories, that’s why the first set was so
close and that blew Chile away. We closed the
competition well, we reached our goals,
qualifying to worlds and reaching the podium”.
Aime Topete, Captain of Mexico:
“We were focused in
the first set, following our technical staff
instructions and we gave our all. I believe that
with more energy we can win the gold medal in
next tournaments, we have the potential to do
so. Now
we must work and prepare for worlds”.
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