Fans of Peru crowded Eduardo Dibos Coliseum to cheer for their home favourites on Saturday
Lima, Peru, August 8, 2015 – Peru won a thrilling five-setter (22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-14, 15-11) over Mexico in front of a noisy sellout crowd to remain undefeated after two days of actions in Pool A of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship at Eduardo Dibos Coliseum of Lima on Saturday night.
Mexico lost for second time both in five sets with the previous loss to the hands of Korea on Friday.
Peru held a big advantage of 17-7 in blocks and also had the edge in the aces division 11-8. The two teams scored with 51 spikes with the winners making 27 errors to 29 by the losers.
Nicole Abreu had 22 points to lead Peru while Katherine Regalado and Leslie Leyva added 18 and 15, respectively. Mexico had Kathya Garcia with 19 points in the loss.
Mexico built comfortable margins of 8-1 and 16-5 in the first set good enough to resist the late comeback of Peru to take the first set 25-22.
The second set was dominated by the home side from the start. They led 16-11 at the second pause when Mexico lost Gabriela Perez with a foot injury and went on to win 25-18.
Mexico won eleven consecutive points to build a 19-11 difference that was enough to stop another reaction from the local team. The set finished 25-21.
The fourth set was for Peru by a huge 25-14 margin forcing another tie-breaker.
Peru jumped to a 6-3 advantage but Mexico tied at 10-all. De la Peña blocked Gutierrez for a 12-11 score for Peru. Leyva attacked for match point and then scored with a touch of the block for the 15-11.