United States overcome Mexico to defend U-19 crown vs. Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, June 28, 2016 – United States needed five sets(17-25, 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 17-15) to surrender Mexico and take back home the second and last ticket to the World Championship, 2017, available in the NORCECA Boys U19 Championship whose match for the title will be played against Cuba.

The final match in Tulsa, 2014, when the Americans defeated Cubans will repeat itself, but on this occasion the clash for the title will take place at the Sports City Coliseum as scheduled at 9:00 pm (local time).

In the closest and top-level match up date, both squads showed themselves aggressive to the victory, but mainly as they were fighting for the direct ticket to the World Championship whose third quota place in the NORCECA area will be available in the Pan American Cup, 2017.

United States and Mexico performed quite similarly in attack (52-53), block (14-15) and unforced errors (36-33); whereas the winners led in service (8-2) against less tall opponents, but with fighting spirit and willingness.

The American offensive was distributed. It was led by Brandon Browning, Jaylen Jasper and Joel Schneidmiller with 17 points each and Samuel Lewis (11). However the Mexican player, Raymond Stephens (19) was the match best scorer followed by Jesús Valenzuela (16) and Miguel Sarabia (13).

Samuel Shweisky, coach of United States, praised the defensive system used by the Mexican coaching staff which considered unbelievable as much as their pupils’ discipline.

“Working with boys who are this age is quite hard. I also feel very proud for my boys who, in spite of the pressure, were able to keep calm while their substitutes were supporting at all times. This lesson of harmony is what has touched me in my heart the more. When they decide not play anymore, they will be better men, fathers and husbands”, declared.

Kyler Presho, team captain, recognized and congratulated Mexico for their outstanding performance. “However we came up the game at hardest times and after this match we feel ready to meet Cuba for the gold medal.”

Gabri Alarcón, Mexican coach, said “it was a really competitive game where both of us wanted to obtain the boarding pass to the World Championship. We continued playing with some instability, but there was much more perseverance, a very good top-level Volleyball tactical thinking on both sides.”

Jesús Flores, team captain, expressed “words can not be found at this moment when we have passed up the ticket to the major event. Nevertheless we will go for it in the Pan American Cup. We were not able to finish the match as strong as required at that time despite having made very good things. We are pleased with our performance, but unhappy with the result."

United States came directly to semi finals by winning undefeated in A Pool with victories against Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic in straight sets (3-0).

The Mexicans succeeded to this penultimate round by sweeping the Dominicans (3-0) in quarterfinals to where they went through after reaching the second place in A Pool with wins over Jamaica (3-0) and Antigua and Barbuda (3-0) and a loss against Cuba (1-3).

Wednesday 29th:

Costa Rica vs. Antigua and Barbuda (for 7th place) - 14:00

Jamaica vs. Dominican Republic (for 5th place) - 16:00

Mexico vs. Nicaragua (for bronze medal) - 18:30

United States vs. Cuba (for gold medal) - 21:00