ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, August 14, 2025.– With a commanding 12-1 edge in service aces, Mexico defeated Argentina to advance to the women’s volleyball final at the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025, winning the semifinal 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-16).
Mexico will face defending champions Brazil for the gold medal. In addition to vying for the Junior Pan American title, both Mexico and Brazil secured their spots at the Lima 2027 Pan American Games as the top-ranked teams from each Volleyball Confederation.
Argentina will aim to repeat the bronze medal they won in the first edition of the Games in Cali, this time against the Dominican Republic.
In the first set, Mexico came out strong (10-5) thanks to Marcela Herrera’s attacks and Andrea Félix’s serving. The lead held at 18-11, capitalizing on Argentine errors. The South Americans closed the gap with consecutive points from María Matich and Keila Llanos, but Mexico stayed ahead, boosted by Aimé Topete. Before closing the set, Argentina denied three set points (24-17) with a rival error and blocks from Josefina Ossvald and Valentina Gartenbank, but Mexico eventually took it 25-20.
The second set was all Mexico, jumping to a 12-3 lead with Herrera’s consistent attacking, Félix’s offense and serving, and captain María Ximena Cruz’s net defense. Topete kept the momentum going and Argentina found no answers, falling 25-12.
In the third, Argentina started stronger and tied the score at 5, but Herrera and Topete pushed Mexico to a three-point lead (8-5). The Mexicans regained full control to double Argentina’s score (14-7). With the score at 19-9, Argentina put together three straight points from Gisela Otamendi and Llanos, plus a Mexican error, in an attempt to rally. However, a spectacular defensive play by Herrera preserved the lead at 22-14. Topete scored match point (24-15) and sealed the 25-16 win with an attack off Ossvald’s block.
Statistically, beyond their serving dominance, Mexico led in attacks 39-28, while Argentina had the edge in blocks (7-5). Mexico committed 12 unforced errors to Argentina’s 19.
Mexico’s Andrea Félix led all scorers with 16 points (11 attacks, 2 blocks, 3 aces), followed by Aimé Topete with 13 (11 attacks, 1 block, 1 ace) and Marcela Herrera with 11 (9 attacks, 2 aces). For Argentina, María Matich was the top scorer with 10 points (8 attacks, 2 blocks), the only player in double digits for her team.
Outside hitter Aimé Topete said “ In the morning, we were focused, personally I thought I am going to give it my all. We all wanted to win. Before the match we spoke in the dressing room that it wasn’t important the point they would score, but the point we were going to score. We got the result. Everything worked well. In the morning training session, we practiced on serving a lot, which was an important weapon in today’s victory”.
Luis León, head coach of Mexico said after the win “We all had our goal very clear. Far from the pressure of a semifinal match, thinking of what would happen, the girls enjoyed the match and just played. I am super excited, happy with the team’s performance, but mostly for the attitude. Tomorrow, no matter what happens, I am proud of this group”.
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