USA wins five-set contest at Final 6

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 21, 2024:  United States prevailed in five-set match 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-13, 15-11) over Mexico this afternoon at the Men’s Final 6 in Gatineau, Quebec.

Both teams had the momentum at different key moments in the match, until USA came through in a fiery fifth set, that also saw Mexico’s head coach Carlos Eduardo Schwanke receive a red card late in the contest.  

Overall, USA dominated in attack points (73-46) and held the advantage in blocking (11-7). Mexico had a couple more aces than USA (6-4), and also made fewer errors (20-39).

Cooper Robinson led all scoring with 25 points – 22 attack points, two blocks and an ace - and teammate Grant Sloane contributed 15 points to USA’s win.

Mauro Fuentes Rascón was Mexico’s top scorer with 16 points (4 from successful blocks).

USA now is 2-0 in the round robin, while Mexico is 1-1 after sweeping Cuba yesterday.

USA outside hitter Cooper Robinson said: “We had a pretty rough third set, but I thought our fourth-set energy was fantastic in the beginning.  We had some new guys come in and bring some energy and they did a great job. Overall, we just passed really well and then toward the end we were just making scrappy plays that made the difference. 

"We have only been training together for three weeks, so every game we are getting so much better. Each game we progress well, and I’m really excited to see what we can do in these next games.”

USA Coach Andy Read said: “I think what made the difference today was our team composure and guys who were ready to come in off the sideline. It takes a team to beat a good team like Mexico. I’m super proud of every guy today; it was a great team effort.”