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HERMOSILLO, Mexico, August 26, 2022.- Mexico won
a dramatic quarterfinal five setter over Puerto
Rico 3-2 (25-17, 25-19, 18-25, 20-25, 15-12) to
advance into semifinals of the 19th
Women’s Pan American Cup at the Sonora Arena of
Hermosillo.
Host Mexico will face the Dominican Republic in
semifinals and Puerto Rico will play for fifth
place against Cuba. In the other semifinal, the
United States goes up against Colombia.
Puerto Rico’s big comeback in the third set took
Mexico by surprise, struggling to get back on
track only to extend the match to a decisive
fifth set.
Mexico overcame Puerto Rico with a consistent
67-49 advantage in attacks and a 4-3 margin in
aces. Puerto Rico controlled 13-7 from blocking
points and committed fewer errors (25-33).
Middle blocker Jocelyn Urias topped Mexico with
20 points on 16 kills, three blocks and one ace.
Also contributing to Mexico’s victory were
outside hitters Aime Topete and Samantha Bricio
with 18 and 13 points respectively.
Opposite Genesis Collazo led Puerto Rico’s
attackers with 20 points on 16 kills and 4
blocks, followed by outside hitters Genesis
Miranda and Pilar Victoria with 17 and 15 points
respectively.
Cecilia Rios, outside hitter of Mexico:
“It was a dramatic victory, but we reached our
goal, the team is happy. The support of our fans
was valuable for Mexico to be in the semifinal.
Our team work was crucial, we are a family and
our mentality has been in evolution, we are
coming from less to more, hoping for a good
result tomorrow”.
Hector Soto, head coach of Puerto Rico:
“As a team it doesn’t matter being behind
because there is always a chance for the match
to continue in our favor, until the last point
of the game. I am proud of how the girls battled
in a hostile atmosphere; they were cold and
showed what it is to represent Puerto Rico with
everything”. |
