Mexico debut with cruising victory over US Virgin Islands

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 2, 2012 – Hosts Mexico kicked off with a straight set victory 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-10) in the NORCECA U-19 Boys’ Continental Championship on Monday night.

Mexico’s Mauricio López finished with 10 points while Alexis Garay tallied 9. Aseah Thomas registered 6 points and Chandler Blaschka added 5 for the Caribbean squad that really surprised the crowd with a very close start in the first set.

“This first match helped us a lot to get into rhythm,” Mexican captain Mauricio Lopez said. “We were a little bit nervous, because it is not the same to practice, which we have done so many times, that to start a real competition.”

US Virgin Islands captain Nayib Gonzalez recognized they did a good job in the beginning but started to struggle in the second set. “We had a good first set, but in the second and third we didn’t have the same energy,” he said.

The Caribbean team coach, Mark Daniel agreed. “In fact, we started well for the first 13 points, but after that there was a lack of confidence, but I believe we have to fight (in the rest of the tournament),” Daniel commented.

Mexican coach Oscar Licea, highlighted the importance of starting with a win. “We are in a very difficult pool, with very tough opponents like USA and Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands was a rival we didn’t really know. They made us play harder and I want to congratulate them, that forced us to make some adjustments,” Licea stated.

Mexico will face Puerto Rico in its second match on Tuesday while US Virgin Islands will play against the United States.