USA Erases a Six-Point Deficit to Get Its Revenge on Mexico

Mexico handed the United States its only loss on the way to the Pan American Cup title last week, and the Americans got their rematch. After dropping a 27-25 opening set, the U.S. answered 25-19, 25-23 before climbing out of a six-point hole in the fourth to finish a 3-1 victory and remain unbeaten at the NORCECA Final Six.

The fourth set nearly sent the match the other direction. Mexico built an 11-5 advantage and was still ahead 22-20 before Eva Hudson and Caitie Baird pulled the U.S. level. Baird tied it again at 24, Temi Thomas-Ailara evened it at 25, and the Americans kept scrambling through extended rallies until Thomas-Ailara finally gave them their first lead of the entire set at 27-26. A Mexico hitting error finished it 28-26. Baird delivered six kills in the fourth alone.