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TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 14, 2022.- The
United States claimed an important victory over
Mexico 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-19) taking a step
closer to semis of the Men’s NORCECA Final Six
Pan American Cup being held in Tepic, Nayarit.
A 27-minute delay due to a power outage in the
third set, didn’t keep the U.S. from improving
their record 2-2; they will face Dominican
Republic (0-4) in their final round-robin
performance on Friday.
Mexico dropped to 1-3 and will finish the
preliminary round against Cuba (4-0).
The United States prevailed 38-28 in attacks and
5-2 in aces; Mexico was more effective in blocks
by a slim 5-4 margin. The U.S. handed out 25
points from errors and scored on 25 from Mexico.
Outside hitter Brett Wildman led the United
States with 14 points on 11 kills, 2 blocks and
one ace. Middle blocker Nyerovwome Omene
contributed with 8 points, while opposite hitter
Francesco Sani and middle blocker Merrick
McHenry added 7 points each. Opposite hitter
Diego Gonzalez scored 11 points in Mexico’s
campaign, joined by outside hitters Josue Lopez
and Mauro Fuentes who collected 9 points each.
Mason Briggs, Libero of United States:
“The goal of our team was to go on upwards in
our trajectory, so we started off a little rough
with two loses early in the tournament, now our
goal is to keep on progressing. The key was to
stick to us and what our team does, that worked
out, together as a team and focus on us and not
on the opponent”.
Said Bravo, Libero of Mexico:
“We stopped executing important things during
the match and it showed in the second set that
went away. Unfortunately, we must learn and keep
giving our all, it’s a process. Tomorrow against
Cuba we must change our attitude, during the
tournament we’ve had good moments and we must
seek greatness; we can do it”.
Andy Read, Head Coach of United States:
“The environment was electric until the lights
went out; the support of the Mexican fans
energized us, being in front of so many
supporters that love volleyball went great for
us. We want to win the tournament, tomorrow we
face the Dominicans, and they will come out
hard, so we must win that match first to make it
into the final four”. |
