Lexie Sun scores 26 to move USA into Semifinals

FORT LAUDERDALE, United States, July 28, 2016.- Lexie Sun scored impressive 26 points to carry United States into the NORCECA Women’s U20 Continental Championship semifinals after beating Mexico 3-0 (33-31, 25-12, 25-5) on Thursday at Nova Southeastern University of Ft. Lauderdale Florida.

Outside hitter Lexie Sun was USA’s weapon shattering Mexico’s defense on 18 kills, four blocks and four aces. Mexico’s top scorers were Sirenia Gomez and Kathya Garcia with 10 points apiece.

United States went into the second set with solid blocking after a dramatic and long first set, with their defense was off guard by Mexico’s intensity and tough attitude challenged their performance. Mexico lost their energy while the home team unleashed their power with a huge lead in the final set to move into the semifinals as top seed in group B.

The home team held a 45-28 advantage in kills, 16-5 in blocks and 8-4 in service points. United States scored on 14 Mexican errors and limited their own to 11 points.

Lexie Sun spoke about her outstanding performance “it was an exciting match; we started flat but as the match moved forward we took more risks in figuring out how to put our efforts and play like we did in the third set. We’ve been working a lot in our blocking during practice and it’s definitely paying off, it was a block party tonight”.

Coach Laurie Corbelli said “Mexico came out on fire, our defense wasn’t working because we didn’t expect them to be so tough and for some reason our line-up wasn’t clicking. We hung in there trying to execute and Lexie anchored that first set, she had an awesome performance. With a match that begun as it did we had to be error free and focused, it was exciting to see the team battle back. Our team is good in setting, attacking and blocking, but if we don’t have the serving and passing we´re going to get into a lot of trouble”.

“We faced a tough opponent who adjusted their line-up and used all its players to defeat us. Our case is not the same, we don’t many possibilities for variations and solve in difficult moments; we need more diversity in our line-up. We must turn the page and prepare mentally because from here forward we’ll meet only strong teams” said coach Mario Rodriguez of Mexico.