Italy capture first victory in Pool A

Tijuana, Mexico, October 7, 2013 – Italy beat Mexico 25-19, 25-15, 25-20 to capture their first victory in Pool A after suffering two painful five-set losses.

Laura Partenio had a match-high 19 points to lead the winners while Alessia Gennari finished with 10 points as the only other player of the winners to reach double digits.

Andrea Rangel and Claudia Rios finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Mexican squad, which saw their record dropping to 0-3.

Italy held a 7-4 advantage in the blocking charts but Mexico dominated 7-4 in service winners. Italy made 8 unforced errors to 22 committed by Mexico.

Argentina dominated the first set despite the fighting spirit of Mexico. The South Americans led 8-4 and 16-12 at the stops and ended up winning 25-19. Mexico made 9 unforced errors to only 2 by Italy. Laura Partenio and Cristina Chirichella had 6 and 4 points for Italy while Andrea Rangel and Alejandra Isiordia topped Mexico with 5 points apiece.

Partenio continued to pound Mexico with furious spikes as Italy led 8-5 and 16-10. Italy played excellent defense at the net touching a lot of balls against the smaller Mexicans. The second set was a one-way street most and finished 25-15.

Mexico put some resistance in the third set whit Andrea Rangel leading the local attack for an 8-7 difference at the first technical time-out. Italy recharged batteries to take the lead 16-13 at the second TTO. Attacks by gema Leon and Andrea Rangel cut the distance to 20-18 but then Rangel and Isiordia made two offensive errors and Italy won the set 25-20 with the spike by Alessia Gennari.