NORCECA Final Four Women’s Volleyball Championship 2010:
Argentina teaches
Mexico a lesson
The Final Four Women’s Volleyball Championship 2010 is underway at its full intensity in
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. The volleyball action kick-started on
21st September, 2010 and it will carry on till 25th September, 2010. Chiapas Polyforum Sports Hall has been selected as the tournament venue. Teams from the
Dominican Republic, Peru,
Argentina and hosts Mexico are attending the event. The Volleyball Pan American Union (UPV) is the major force behind organising this tournament for women in
Mexico.
The opening day of the tournament featured two games. The South American team of
Peru clashed with the Caribbean ladies of the
Dominican Republic in one of the matches. The Peruvian team demonstrated exceptional play and earned a victory against the
Dominican Republic. Likewise, hosts Mexico collided with
Argentina on Tuesday, 21st September, 2010. The Mexicans were incredibly excited to play their first game of the tournament. Unfortunately, the Argentinean team had different plans
in mind and set up to choke the Mexicans’ expressive play. The tall Argentinean team shocked fans and pundits alike by destroying the Mexican side. They posted a 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, and 25-21) victory over
Mexico.
Detailed analysis
Mexico started the first set with long jump serves and created an impression that they were a strong team. The game moved along and the Argentinean players gradually became stronger and more involved. They were
equipped with muscular and experienced players in their side. In the meanwhile, Mexican players mishandled a few shots which led to some doubts about their own abilities.
Mexico’s setter floated the ball in air at the wrong times which caused them more trouble. The Argentinean players easily exploited the gaps and made the Mexicans pay with powerful spikes. The first set ended in
Argentina’s favour and they claimed a 25-10 victory.
The home-side tried to bring discipline to their game in the second set. The head coach made a few changes and replaced players that were viewed as underperforming. Despite their efforts and the new formula, the Mexican team
failed to improve their game. They still trailed the Argentineans who were commanding the game and carried that attitude to the final scoreline. They continued with more convincing shots and pulled off victory in second set with the same margin of points (25-10)
Mexico started the third set under tons of pressure from local fans who seemed disappointed that their team was being mauled so mercilessly. The Mexicans went on the offensive and it seemed to work for them.
They built up a lead of 11-5 for the first time in the match and received huge applause from their supporters. The happiness was short lived however as the Argentines changed their approach and returned in the game. Again the situation worsened for the Mexican
team and their opponents built up a lead. Argentina killed host-team’s chances with 25-21 victory in the third set – a whitewash.
Players and Coaches’ perspective
The host team’s captain, Yazmin Hernandez expressed her views after the match, “We started very lazy, but in the third set we improved a lot. Unfortunately, it was too late for us, but we tried to do our best.” On the other
hand, Argentinean captain Antonela Curatola congratulated the players and appreciated their team-work. She stated that, “We played a very solid match, in the third set we felt in a low motivation-hole, but finally we could solve it and go.”
The Mexican head coach, Alfredo Bernal didn’t blame his team. The coach actually appreciated the players and encouraged them for next games. He said, “The main disadvantage was the height of the Argentinean players, and also
that they are a very joint team, we only had a few players in our team who participated in the last Pan American Cup.”
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