TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 14, 2022.- The United States claimed an important victory over Mexico 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-19) taking a step closer to semis of the Men’s NORCECA Final Six Pan American Cup being held in Tepic, Nayarit.
A 27-minute delay due to a power outage in the third set, didn’t keep the U.S. from improving their record 2-2; they will face Dominican Republic (0-4) in their final round-robin performance on Friday.
Mexico dropped to 1-3 and will finish the preliminary round against Cuba (4-0).
The United States prevailed 38-28 in attacks and 5-2 in aces; Mexico was more effective in blocks by a slim 5-4 margin. The U.S. handed out 25 points from errors and scored on 25 from Mexico.
Outside hitter Brett Wildman led the United States with 14 points on 11 kills, 2 blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Nyerovwome Omene contributed with 8 points, while opposite hitter Francesco Sani and middle blocker Merrick McHenry added 7 points each. Opposite hitter Diego Gonzalez scored 11 points in Mexico’s campaign, joined by outside hitters Josue Lopez and Mauro Fuentes who collected 9 points each.
Outside hitter Diego González scored 11 points in Mexico’s campaign, joined by outside hitter Josué López and Mauro Fuentes who collected 9 points each.
Mason Briggs, Libero of United States: “The goal of our team was to go on upwards in our trajectory, so we started off a little rough with two loses early in the tournament, now our goal is to keep on progressing. The key was to stick to us and what our team does, that worked out, together as a team and focus on us and not on the opponent”.
Said Bravo, Libero of Mexico: “We stopped executing important things during the match and it showed in the second set that went away. Unfortunately, we must learn and keep giving our all, it’s a process. Tomorrow against Cuba we must change our attitude, during the tournament we’ve had good moments and we must seek greatness; we can do it”.
Andy Read, Head Coach of United States: “The environment was electric until the lights went out; the support of the Mexican fans energized us, being in front of so many supporters that love volleyball went great for us. We want to win the tournament, tomorrow we face the Dominicans, and they will come out hard, so we must win that match first to make it into the final four”.
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