USA to battle Dominican Republic in NORCECA U20 title match

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, June 22, 2018.- United States advanced into the title match of the Women’s NORCECA U20 Continental Championship against Dominican Republic after defeating Mexico 3-1 (25-20, 27-25, 25-27, 25-9) in semifinals at Aguascalientes, Mexico.

United States and Dominican Republic will fight to qualify for the 2019 FIVB World Championship in Saturday’s NORCECA final match. This is the US and Dominican Republic’s back to back title match, with Dominicans winning in the past edition in 2016. United States has won the competition in six occasions of an overall nine championship matches.

In set one, the US missed three set points before taking the lead. The United States had a spectacular comeback in the second set while recovering from an 8 point deficit (15-23) to finish exciting 27-25 with Skyler Fields and Logan Eggleston taking charge of the offense over the net. Mexican Uxue Guereca carried her team in a thrilling third set win while her team lost a four point lead. It was a matter of time for the United States hard hitting to take over and finish in overwhelming matter.

The United States impressed with 12-3 margin in aces, also with 13-8 blocking advantage and 48-36 lead in kills. Mexico committed fewer errors 29-34.

Wing spiker Skyler Fields scored 21 points as US top performer, on 15 kills, 2 blocks and 4 aces; Logan Eggleston also with double-figures scoring 15 points. Mexican Uxue Guereca scored a match-high of 22 points.

Top scorer Skyler Fields of United States: “It’s an amazing feeling, the energy in the gym. We had to dig deep and fight to recover in the second set. We were passionate, we fought hard. We were trying to do our best in the championship and qualify for worlds.

Keegan Cook head coach of United States: “My team was outstanding in the comeback in set two. If you don’t follow principles as a team, which you agree on, whether you’re on or off the court, the game gets really hard; when you follow principles you can have a set like the fourth set. Dominican Republic is the most experienced team here, they’ve been in finals and they manage good sets, they are really good in tipping the ball; we’re excited to be in the finals, we expect clean volleyball”.

Libero Jocelyn Landeros of México: “Generally speaking, we could have done more; individually we make off short and for our supporters, for the team, for our coach and for everyone. We will continue to fight for what’s left, hoping to improve and make some adjustments. We were to anxious, we weren’t thinking when we were attacking, the same happened in serves, we failed a lot in serves, our blocking wasn’t effective enough because they are taller, stronger and with higher reach than us. We need to be smarter.”

Luis Alberto León head coach of México: “A lot of failed opportunities by my players and we didn’t take advantage of, unfortunately in crucial moments we made bad choices and that cost us the match. United States is a very good team, their serves are aggressive and they have impressive blocking. We need preparation matches. The tournament continues and we have to play strong”.