ZINACANTEPEC, Mexico, September 23, 2026.- Host Mexico came back from a two-set deficit to defeat Cuba 3-2 (17-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-8) on Wednesday, remaining unbeaten at the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Final Six at the Unidad Deportiva Juan Fernández Albarrán in Zinacantepec, Estado de México.
Mexico improved to 3-0, while Cuba moved to a 1-2 record.
Cuba controlled the opening two sets behind its blocking and the offensive contributions of Yalain Regla De La Peña, Evilania Martínez and Whitney James. Mexico struggled to find consistency early but gradually settled into the match and changed its rhythm in a closely contested third set.
The turning point came with Mexico facing elimination in the third. The hosts stayed composed in the closing points to take the set 25-23, with Sofía Maldonado, Jocelyn Urias and Aimé Topete providing key offensive contributions. The momentum carried into the fourth, where Mexico handled another tight finish to prevail 25-22 and force a fifth set.
The deciding set remained close through the early stages before Mexico pulled away. With the score tied at 5-5, the hosts took control as Cuba began committing more errors, while Mexico maintained pressure through Maldonado and its transition offense. Mexico built a 10-7 advantage and continued to extend the margin on its way to a 15-8 finish.
Mexico finished with a 59-51 advantage in attacks and a 5-4 edge in aces. Cuba dominated in blocks 15-7, while both teams scored 33 points from opponent errors.
Maldonado led all scorers with 22 points on 17 kills, two blocks and three aces. Urias added 14 points and Topete registered 13.
Regla De La Peña led Cuba with 18 points, all on kills. Martínez and James contributed 14 points apiece, while Laura Suárez added 10.
On Thursday, Cuba (1-2) will face Canada (0-3) at 4:00 p.m., while Mexico (3-0) will meet the United States (3-0) at 8:00 p.m.
Nicola Negro, head coach of Mexico: “We came onto the court very poorly technically and tactically, but above all in our attitude. I told the team that the biggest step we need to take, if we want to think big and grow as a team, is first to grow mentally. That is why we are not yet a great team; we are a young team and everything is part of the process. Fortunately, the girls fought hard, managed to turn the match around and earn a great victory.”
Luizomar De Moura, head coach of Cuba: “Congratulations to Mexico. They are a team that right now has more options, while we can barely count on seven players. The most important thing is for the girls to play and continue improving. We are growing.”
Laura Suárez, captain of Cuba: “It was a great match. Toward the end, we started making a lot of errors and they reduced theirs, and that affected us. We also became a little overconfident after winning the first two sets.”