Uxue Guereca inspires Mexico to win NORCECA U20 Bronze Medal

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, June 23, 2018. – Mexico won the Women’s NORCECA U20 Bronze medal after Uxue Guereca scored 30 impressive points in her team’s victory 3-1 (25-13, 20-25, 27-25, 25-23) over Cuba at Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Opposite player Uxue Guereca unleashed her strong spiking in a thrilling bronze medal match to subdue Cuba’s physical pressence. This is Mexico’s second bronze medal in the history of the event, winning their first in 2000.

Also, wing spiker Melanie Parra was pumped up over the net, holding off Cuba’s receivers pressuring. Cuba’s Head coach Regla Torres tried to recover using subs, but Cuba was unrecognizable. Wing spiker Ailama Cese, with setter Thalia Moreno pressured Mexico, pushing the scores very close.  Mexico took the initiative pulling off a nail biting exciting win.

México excelled on 53-51 margin in kills, 7-5 in blocks and comfortable 7-3 in aces. Mexico committed fewer unforced errors 27-30.

Uxue Guereca scored a tournament-high so far of 30 points, on 26 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces; the other player with double figures on Mexico’s side was wing spiker Melanie Parra who added 11 points. Wing spiker Ailama Cese led Cuba with 21 points, including 20 kills; setter Thalia Moreno scored 12 points, including 10 kills and one ace; and Odaimis Lelibre tallied 10 points.

Uxue Guereca captain of México: “Our heart is that of warriors, we kept our heads up. Our blocking was well positioned and they weren’t able to score easily. I practice hard to have strong spikes. We are all disciplined and dedicated. We are happy for finishing third, we would have wanted to qualify to worlds but I am satisfied”.

Luis Alberto León Head coach of México: “We executed everything well; tactically speaking, our serves were well directed and we subdued their best performers. We eliminated Cuba’s game system. Mexico knew how to close, not like in the previews matches. I am very proud of my team”.

Regla Torres head coach of Cuba: “It’s more of the same, you learn how to play, playing, you can’t learn without performing. Again, my players are young, so our main goal is for them to have international experience, what’s left is to work from what happened here. I work the mental part with them, I have lots of faith in them, I am not unsatisfied with today’s performance, on the contrary, they did what they can at the moment”.