MANATÍ, Puerto Rico, July 20TH, 2025.- Puerto Rico secured a three-peat victory defeating Mexico in an exciting five-set thriller (25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 20-25, 15-13) in NORCECA Women’s Final Four celebrated in Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu Coliseum at Manati, Puerto Rico.
With the win, Puerto Rico books a direct ticket to the 2026 Senior’s NORCECA Women Olympic Continental Championship.
This is the third gold medal in a row for Puerto Rico in this event and 5 medals overall since they won silver in 2019 and bronze in 2022. For Mexico this is their second consecutive silver medal, in the past edition of 2024 they also fell to Puerto Rico. They have a bronze medal won in 2019 and a gold medal winning the championship to Puerto Rico in 2022.
Puerto Rico finished the NORCECA Women’s Final Four undefeated with 3-0 record and Mexico with 2-1.

Puerto Rico opened strong, taking the first set 25–19 behind the sharp execution of their outside hitters. It was a battle throughout the second set and answered with resilience, capitalizing on back-to-back Puerto Rican errors to steal the set in extra points 26–24. Puerto Rico surged with aggressive attacks and blocks for a 25–18 win, but Mexico held firm in the fourth, using tough serving and blocking to push the match to a tie-break. It was a nail-biting match, but Puerto Rico prevailed to clinch their third championship in a row.
Puerto Rico led 65-61 in attacks, 11-10 in blocks and 6-5 in serves, Mexico committed 27 errors and Puerto Rico 25.
Opposite Decelise Champion topped Puerto Rico scorers with 22 points (20 attacks and 2 blocks) joined by outside hitter Karla Santos with 19 points.
Mexico’s leading attackers were outside hitter Samatha Bricio with 18 points and opposite Sofia Maldonado with 16.
Juan Carlos Núñez, Puerto Rico’s coach: “We knew the match was going to be intense; they brought out their best talent. We played at home seeking qualification for the 2026 VNL, and in every match where we have the opportunity to earn points, we have to play to win. Offensively, we were at their level, and defensively, we played well. Now we have two days of rest, and then we begin training for the Pan American Cup.”
Decelise Champion, opposite of Puerto Rico: “It’s an honor and a great feeling because we’ve worked hard to get here. The match was very close, we had our ups and downs, but in the end, we were able to play together and get the win. We kept going point by point. Now it’s time for a lot of hard work and preparing for the upcoming competitions.”
Samantha Bricio, outside hitter of Mexico: “Puerto Rico clearly has a very good block; we have to work on how to improve. Today they were better than us. Our goal now is the Pan American Cup, which will help us prepare for the World Championship and perform at our best.”
Nicola Negro, head coach of Mexico: “First and foremost, congratulations to Puerto Rico for the victory. It was a very intense match that ended in five sets, but I always have great respect for Puerto Rican volleyball. I want to congratulate my players because we are in a new process of growth, and it was a match we played point by point.”