PR falls in 5 sets to Mexico in NORCECA Final Six opener

Neira Ortiz and Team Puerto Rico rallied back from a two-sets-to-none deficit to force a fifth set against Mexico on Monday night, but ultimately fell to the hosts in their opener at the NORCECA Women’s Final Six in Guadalajara.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico opened its campaign at the NORCECA (North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) Women’s Final Six with a hard-fought, five-set battle against host Mexico in Guadalajara on Monday night, ultimately falling short in the decisive frame.

After dropping the first two sets, Team Puerto Rico mounted a fierce comeback in the third. Mexico surged ahead 18-12 with a back-row attack from Samantha Briccio, but the Boricuas responded with an 11-5 run, capitalizing on two attack errors by Melanie Parra to tie the set at 23. A misfire from Sofía Maldonado Díaz and a clutch kill from Valeria Vázquez on the left wing sealed the set 25-23 for Puerto Rico.

Fueled by momentum, the Boricuas forced a fifth set, reaching set point at 24-20 thanks to a cross-court strike from Decelise Champion and another finish from Vázquez on the outside. However, Mexico took the court switch at 8-6 in the final set and held the lead to close out the match.

Puerto Rico’s offensive standouts included Vázquez, Champion, and Diana Reyes, each contributing 13 points. The team outperformed Mexico in blocks (14-11), though the hosts led in aces (7-3). Mexico’s top scorer was Maldonado Díaz, who racked up 23 points.

Puerto Rico was to return to action Tuesday night against the Dominican Republic in a high-stakes Caribbean showdown.