Brazil finishes the prelims with impeccable 5-0 record at XI Women’s Pan Am Cup – Volleyball News
Brazil women’s volleyball team continued with its winning ways in the last match of prelims of the XI Pan American Cup on Monday and held off hosts Mexico for 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-21) victory.
The winning South American squad moved to 5-0 in the tournament, while Mexico failed to break the ice and finished the preliminaries with devastating 0-5 record. Victory also enabled Brazil to reserve a spot in the next round of the tournament. Brazil will
now play in the first semi-final match on Thursday, July 19.
Brazil was supported by Natasha Farinea and Priscila Dairot, who each had a contribution of 9 points in the victory. Likewise, Gabriela Braga and Juliana De Souza played exquisitely well and notched up 7 points apiece.
For home team, Alejandra Isiordia put up a valiant effort and added match-high 15 points. She emerged as the only player with double-figure score in the match.
Equipped with the support of local fans, Mexican team caught a good start in the match. Commanding serves by Isiordia helped the hosts to earn some early points. However, the home squad could not carry the momentum and gradually slowed down. In the meantime,
the opposite side actively contributed points on successful attack attempts and controlled the action on the net. Opening frame ended in Brazil’s favour as Mexico scored only 14 points.
With one set-victory in hand, Brazil further improved in the following set. Mexican team seemed to have lost its form and suffered frequent set-backs. Brazil continued with success and extended its lead to 2-0 by winning second stanza.
In the third set, both teams exchanged long rallies and Mexico played comparatively better. Nevertheless, visiting squad managed to claw its way to victory by winning third set in row.
“It is good for our young players to achieve the first goal of reaching the semifinals. It is important for their growth and now we have to prepare for a tough semifinal match no matter the opponent,” said Brazil’s Claudio Pinheiro after the match.
Mexico’s coach Etanislao Vachino commented: “The match today was marked by the hierarchy of a team over the other,” We did what they allowed us to do when they became a little over confident.”
Brazil’s Farinea was excited about the perfect finish of prelims. She explained that her team did not have good start in the match, but managed to maintain its position as the game progressed. She urged her team members to shift all their attention on the
upcoming influential phase of the tournament.
On the other hand, Karla Sainz of Mexico stated that loss of concentration led her team to failure.
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