Coach Jorge Azair’s Mexican squad lost the match’s three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-11 and 25-19.
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RIO DE JANEIRO-Current men’s volleyball Olympic champions and medal favorites United States won the chance to defend their title by securing a quarter-final slot with a 3-0 victory over Mexico on Monday.
The United States needed a win over Mexico to break a four-way tie with France, Canada and Brazil in the Pool A standings.
But the USA squad shocked the top team in the world (Brazil) on Day 3, then downed France on Day 4 and took care of business in the final match.
After upsetting Brazil, U.S. overpowered France in four sets on Saturday, putting the Americans on a roll for an easier encounter with Mexico.
The win, Canada’s first over Italy in men’s volleyball in 16 matches, put the Canadians into second place in Pool A with nine points.
This young group, with eight first-time Olympians and a trio of veterans leading the charge, has shined during this four-year cycle leading up to Rio when under the most pressure.
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With a slow start to the Rio Olympics, the US men are still having to play catch-up on the final day of preliminaries. The Italians finish atop Pool A with 12 points.
