Puerto Rico drops opener to Argentina at Junior Pan American Games

Photo courtesy of NORCECA and the FIVB

NJIT setter Roque Nido led the Puerto Rico offense to out-hit Argentina, but it was not enough for a win at the Junior Pan American Games.

Puerto Rico finished with a .323 attack percentage as it lost to Argentina 19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-21 in its opener at the international tournament on Friday in Colombia.

Nido, who missed last season with the Highlanders and was an All-EIVA selection in 2020, had 11 excellent sets against Argentina. He also guided the offense that featured two Puerto Rican players having double-digit kills.

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George Mason outside attacker Omar Hoyos ended with 11 kills on a .333 attack percentage, while outside attacker Pedro Molina had a match-high 15 kills.

Argentina in the victory hit .313 with outside attacker Mauro Zelayeta having a team-high 14 kills. In addition, middle attacker Imanol Slazar had nine kills on a .467 attack percentage and was one of five Argentina players with more than five kills.

Argentina defensively had Salazar finish with a match-high five blocks and libero Marcos Richards lead all players with 15 kills.

King All-ConfCarolinas libero Noah Melendez led Puerto Rico with 13 digs.

Melendez was one of three Puerto Rican players to have at least 15 excellent service receptions. Hoyos ended with a match-high 23 excellent service receptions in the loss.

Puerto Rico will continue the three-match preliminary round at the Junior Pan American Games as it plays Guatemala on Saturday. The top two teams in each of the three-team pools will advance to the semifinals.