GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, June 1, 2024.- Mexico defeated Cuba 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-12) for fifth place in the inaugural Girls U17 Pan American Cup on Saturday in Guatemala City.
Mexico finished the Pan American Cup with a 3-3 record in wins. Mexico also defeated Cuba in pool-play in straight sets. Cuba concluded with a 1-4 record.
Mexico overpowered Cuba with a sizeable advantage in attack points, 32-13; they also led in blocks (8-4) and service points (6-2). Mexico benefited from 29 Cuban errors while committing 14 of their own.
Mexico’s team captain, Aitana Rettke, was the only player with double digits scoring 13 points on 10 attacks, one block, and two points on serves. Outside hitters Brenda Esquivel and Karen González contributed 9 and 8 points respectively. Esquivel had a match-high of 5 blocks.
Salet Castillo was Cuba’s top scorer with 9 points.
Mexico’s coach, Ignacio Sánchez Palmeros, honestly expressed that his team arrived at the competition overconfident, stating, “it is difficult to talk about a tournament with these results”. He added that this tournament grounds them to prepare physically and mentally for the World Championship in August, “this is a lesson for the team and for us as coaching staff”. Regarding today’s match, he said, “we have great respect for Cuba, and, like my players, it was mentally challenging to face the position we had to play for”.
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