ONE POINT AT A TIME: A SIMPLE LESSON TO BE A GREAT TEAM

Mexico prepares to face Brazil on its second
match at Ankara Sports Hall.

ANKARA, Turkey.- Losing is always a hard situation. Nobody likes it. 

After watching Mexico vs Argentina, more than one person was sure Mexico could do it better. Argentinians and Mexicans had faced each other three times before. 

They know each other pretty well, but in the end the girls from South America "broke that tension", like cuban coach Victor Garcia -who is in charge of Mexican team-, said.

In the end there is no regret. When you are in a short competition like a world championship, you have to work one moment at a time, correct your mistakes and play harder.

"Playing is the best way of dealing with it and the know how to do it. At this age there are some worries, but those girls have nothing to be afraid of, you are in a formative stage in your career", said a head coach one time. "If you enjoy it, there are no fears".

That is what great teams always have to do. There is always a second chance and sometimes that second chance it is not an easy one, but you have to take it or leave it.

"We cannot know how good we are until we face the best ones in the world", said Puerto Rican coach Eric Gonzalez, who also lost his first match against the USA, a team that won 3-0.

Mexican Fans support the "TRICOLOR GIRLS" in Turkey.

It was difficult for the Norceca and Pan-American area, because two South American teams are in the same pool, like Brazil and Argentina. At the same time, Mexico shares that situation on the same Pool B. 

Meanwhile, two Norceca teams are in the same situation. USA and Puerto Rico are part of Pool C. 

But maybe that is a signal of a major competition and level for a zone, after watching some other pools and disciplines like soccer, when a lot of European rivals and even neighbors share the chances to fight for a berth.

On its second match, against Brazil, Mexico struggled at the beginning and converted just one point, after the Brazilians scored 8.

Mexican attack had many spike plays that went too long, but the attitude was a little bit different than the time they faced Argentina. There were faults in the service and in the reception. Brazil had also a high blocking advantage.

Mexico's cuban born coach, Victor García, a former
Olympian Player.

Mexico had a positive rally and reached eight points even though Brazil was leading by more than 12. That gave them some confidence after Samantha Bricio converted a couple of attacks, and Ana Nieto successfully blocked Gabriela.

Brazil had a fault, and that gave Mexicans the chance to figure with 10 points. The first set finished 25-13 for the Brazilians. Any way, Mexico attempted to play with a fast ball with Isiordia and that made the girls to recover confidence and tie 6-6 in one of the closest moments of the match.

"The most important thing was to fight point by point", stated coach Victor Garcia, whose team was for the first time up in the score on the second set, 13-12, after starting 1-4, and even had a 20-18 advantage after an effective service.


There were just some technical mismatches on both sides of the net. Brazil incorporated Naiane and tied the match 22-22 and that forced Mexico to improve the pass, but the referee's controversy took part.

Ana Nieto tries to block Brazil's
Raquel.

Anyway the score was 23-23, and Mexico converted needing, only one point to win its first set of the competition against the best ranked team. The "tricolor" girls did it and tied the match after a 25-23 score. 


The history on the third one was difficult for the Mexicans, but they showed and attitude greater than in the match against Argentina and despite some mistakes, they played with more order.


In front of the net, Ana Nieto played one of her best matches with the National Team, even tough she failed in a few receptions and one block in the fourth set that was so close, and almost as tough as the second one.


Valquiria the Brazilian central as well as Gabriela Guimaraes played with a very strong attack that put them in a 17-12 advantage.


Mexico did not quit in an effort to keep attacking and seeking points. However, the Brazilian experience was imposed, but the respect by the Mexican youngsters was gained after all.