Colombia edges out hosts Mexico to claim first win at the Pan Am Cup – Volleyball News
The hosts of the XI Women’s Pan American Cup Mexico dropped another chance to delight the home fans as the team lost its fifth match to visiting Colombia.
The match spanned over five tiring sets and put both teams to a real test of skills and temperament. Colombia sparked on the scene and stamped 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-13) victory over home squad. Success moved Colombia to an overall record of 1-4 in the tournament, while Mexico stayed winless in the competition.
Colombia’s Maria Martinez displayed an incredible action on the centre court and charted match-high 29 points. Her teammate Diana Arrechea was equally active in the match and she was credited for 28 points. Furthermore, Melissa Rangel became the third Colombian with double-digits after scoring 12 points.
Mexican team relied on ClaudIa Rios and Alejandra Isiordia, who ended with 16 and 13 points respectively.
Opening set of the match was a heated competition that featured a lot of action. Mexico tried to put pressure on the visiting side, but faced utmost resistance. The Colombians did not show any sign of intimidation and put up a spirited effort. The score soared with close intervals, while both teams struggled to achieve the set points. Eventually, Colombia closed the first set with two points at 25-23 and improved to 1-0 in the match.
In the second set, Colombians caught up in errors and dropped too many easy shots. Mexico availed the opportunity and secured second set of the match, which brought the game to an even point (1-1).
Colombia bounced back in the third set and retook the lead by posting 25-16 on board. The see-saw battle continued and Mexico came in power in the fourth set. Colombia dropped fourth set, but managed to claim the decisive fifth set that led the team to 3-2 victory.
Captain of the Colombian team Lorena Zuleta congratulated the team for first victory in the tournament, but also urged them to further improve. According to her, the team has a lot of flaws to overcome.
For coach Mauro Marasciulo: “We have to finish with confidence, this is a young team and sometimes a young team is like a five or eight months-old baby. You have to be patient and need more competition.”
Meanwhile, Mexico’s coach Estanislao Vachino remarked: “We saw two young teams on the court. You could notice that by the mistakes, but Colombia did a good job, and is a team with good biotype. In my case we have to work harder and make the girls to really love the shirt of Mexico.
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