Venezuela’s Fernando Gonzalez spikes against Puerto Rico and earned their first win in the Olympic qualification Tournament
The victory improved Venezuela‘s record to 1-2, while Puerto Rico slipped to 0-3.
Kevin Pinerua had a match-high 14 points in the win. Luis Arias chipped in with 12 points.
Jose Rivera led Puerto Rico with 11 points.
Puerto Rico started out with momentum early in the match, but saw Venezuela take it away. Puerto Rico struggled with reception and made some untimely unforced errors.A
Emerson Rodriguez sent a serve long and Puerto Rico took a 5-4 lead in the first set. Puerto Rico was up 7-6 after Enrique Escalante sent a serve long and they led 8-6 at the first TTO.
Jose Rivera‘s spike made it 10-8 for Puerto Rico. Daniel Escobar‘s spike made it 14-13 as Venezuela moved within a point. Kervin Pinerua served into the net for 15-13 and a reception error made it 16-13 for Puerto Rico at the second TTO. Fernando Gonzalez‘s spike tied it 16-16. Venezuela then ran off three more points to go ahead 19-16 and Puerto Rico took a timeout. Emerson Rodriguez’s block took it to 23-18 as Venezuela moved for the set. Ulises Maldonado served into the net and Venezuela took the set 25-20. Gonzales had five points in the set.
Fernando Morales‘ block put Puerto Rico up 5-4 in the second set. Daniel Escobar‘s spike made it 7-6 for Venezuela. Puerto Rico led 8-7 at the first TTO.Venezuela sent a serve long and Puerto Rico moved ahead 10-9. A block by Luis Arias moved Venezuela ahead 13-12. A spike by Gonzalez made it 15-13 and Arias delivered a service ace to send Venezuela into the second TTO with a 16-13. Pinerua‘s block made it 21-17 for Venezuela and Puerto Rico called a timeout. Arias spiked for 23-19 as Venezuela looked to go up 2-0. Robert Muniz mishit a return and Venezuela had set point at 24-20. Rivera spiked into the net and Venezuela claimed the set 25-20.
A reception error put Puerto Rico on top 5-4 in the third set. Rivera served into the net and Venezuela led 8-6 at the first TTO. Ezequiel Cruz hammered a spike to tie it 9-9 and Puerto Rico moved ahead 10-9 on a block by Juan Figueroa. Arias crushed a spike and Venezuela was up 16-14 at the second TTO. Pinerua soared for a spike to give Venezuela a three-point lead at 20-17 and Puerto Rico called a timeout. Pinerua blasted another spike for 23-21 and Venezuela was two points from the match. A block by Rodriguez gave Venezuela the match.
Puerto Rico takes on Iran on Wednesday, while Venezuela will meet Korea.
Iran and Australia play the next match on Tuesday.
