Mexico defeats Argentina in close encounter
YOKOHAMA, Japan, September 30, 2018 - Samantha Bricio was the
difference as Mexico edged Argentina 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-23)
in a closely-fought encounter in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball
Women’s World Championship on Sunday, scoring 21 points -
including five aces - to deliver Ricardo Naranjo’s side their
first win in Pool A at this year’s competition.
Bricio notched the most points for Mexico but 16-year-old
Melanie Parra was the star of the show, putting up 18 points, 17
of which came from spikes.
Despite going down in straight sets Argentina were within
touching distance throughout, and Julieta Constanza Lazcano and
Josefina Fernandez posted their biggest scoring threats as they
registered 10 points apiece.
Both teams had lost their opening games in Yokohama, Mexico
falling to a surprise 3-1 reverse against Cameroon and Argentina
defeated 3-0 by hosts Japan, and had the chance to pick up rare
victories on this stage. Mexico had lost each of their last 16
matches at the World Championship - a run stretching back to a
3-2 triumph over West Germany in 1982 - while Argentina had won
just one of their last nine games, 3-0 against Tunisia in their
final game of the 2014 championship.
In Sapporo, Bulgaria breezed past Cuba 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-14)
at Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center on Sunday.
It was Bulgaria’s first win of the tournament after losing their
opening match 3-0 to Italy on Saturday. Cuba, who lost 3-0 to
China in their opener, dropped to 0-2.
Bulgaria were led once again by Gergana and Nasya Dimitrova, who
both included a pair of aces in their respective 11 points.
Diaris Perez had an impressive day in attack for Cuba, matching
the point totals of the two leading Bulgarians. Ailama Cese,
equally impressive in attack, picked up Cuba’s only service
point and scored nine points in total on the day.
The difference in blocking points was indicative of the way the
game went, with Bulgaria taking 11 points to Cuba’s two. Equally
significant, Bulgaria claimed nine aces to Cuba’s one. Cuba
committed 22 errors against seven for Bulgaria. |