Mexico becomes third team to qualify for the FIVB World Championship – Volleyball News
Mexico women’s volleyball team clinched success in the bronze medal match of U-18 NORCECA Continental Championship on Saturday and secured a trip to Thailand.
Mexican city Tijuana provided the backdrop for the match, while home team profited from the familiar conditions. Mexico was challenged by Puerto Rico in the match, which gave a good competition to the hosts. Equipped with the stupendous support of local
fans, Mexican team settled for 3-2 victory after sending 25-23, 22-25, 25-17, 21-25, and 15-13 on board. The hosts aimed for top spot in the competition, but ended up with bronze-ware. However, the team managed to reserve a berth in the 2013 FIVB U-18 Women’s
World Championship, which will be hosted by Thailand.
Mexico was hugely supported by Fernanda Guitron, who notched up team-high 18 points.
Her teammates Jocelyn Urias and Fernanda Bañuelos also did an amazing job and chipped in 17 and 13 respectively. Melissa Romero and Diana Valdez of Mexico also went into double digits and contributed 12 apiece each.
Top-scorer’s slot was captured by Puerto Rico Genesis Miranda with 19 points. Jocelyn Kuilan and Julymar Otero added 18 and 17 points, in the loss.
Opening stanza of the match featured a balanced action from both sides. The ball kept in the air for better time, while spectators enjoyed the volleyball action. Situation remained undecided until Mexico concluded first set with narrow gap of two points
(25-23).
Puerto Rico threw everything in attack in the following set and managed to hit the equalizer. The visiting team posted 25-22 on board, in order to create the tie of 1-1.
The see-saw battle continued and Mexico pulled off success in third set. Puerto Ricans staged a good fight and saved the first match points by winning fourth set (25-21).
The final set of the match imitated a heated competition. After a close competition, Mexico captured final set with small margin of two points and settled for victory.
Winning coach of Mexico Estanislao Vachino commented: “I am glad to achieve this goal, we qualified to the World Championship. I didn’t want a five sets match, but we had to play it with some ups and downs. It was very balanced anybody could win but fortunatelly
the luck was on our side and was decided by a loose ball”.
Team captain of Mexico, Ivonne Martinez, expressed her emotions in the following manner: “It was not easy, but I am so proud of my team and my teammates, we sacrified a lot of things for this tournament. We showed attitude and heart on the court.”
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