|
DURANGO, Mexico, August 23, 2021.- Mexico earned
the Bronze Medal at the Men’s NORCECA
Continental Championship defeating reigning
champion Cuba 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 30-28, 27-25)
at Auditorio del Pueblo in Durango, Mexico.
This is Mexico’s third bronze medal match in the
history of the event, finishing with a 4-1
win-loss record and Cuba ending fourth with 3-2.
Mexico´s thrilling third set win impressed with
an extended 30-28, recovering from a five-point
deficit (14-19) and then missing five set
points. Cuba did the same in the fourth set,
battling to reach a tie-break recovering from a
four-point deficit (14-18) but came off short.
Despite Cuba’s overwhelming 10-5 margin in
blocks and a 10-6 margin in serves, Mexico ended
with the win on 52-43 advantage on kills and
gave up fewer points (33-41) on unforced errors.
Mexican Opposite hitter Diego González scored a
match-high of 22 points on 19 kills, 2 blocks
and one ace. Outside hitter Josué López
contributed with 13 points on 11 kills and 2
aces, followed by middle blocker Axel Tellez
Rodríguez with 11 points.
Cubans outside hitter Miguel Angel López and
opposite hitter Jesús Herrera scored 19 and 18
points respectively. Herrera led in serves with
4 points.
Pedro Rangel, Captain of Mexico: “We were
convinced of winning, it showed, despite our
slow beginning. From the second set further we
pressured with our tactical serves; our
block-defense worked as did our offense. We
defended important balls and played with
intelligence to win in passing. Francisco
(no.25) made the difference in the third set
when reaching the service line to catch up with
Cuba”.
Yosvani Muñoz, Coach of Cuba: “The difference
was our numerous errors in key moments, this
went on the entire competition; I don’t want to
justify the result but we had little time to
practice, a few days of work and what you don’t
practice you can’t perform. I am satisfied with
my team’s effort and their performance despite
coming unprepared physically and technically
speaking”.
|
