Nagoya, Japan, October 8, 2018 - Tandara Caixeta scored a match-high 25 points and rallied Brazil to a 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-13, 25-19) victory over Mexico at the FIVB Women's World Championship on Monday afternoon.
Gabriela Guimaraes added 15 points in the win, while Drussyla Costa contributed 14.
Andrea Rangel was the high scorer for Mexico in the loss with 23 points.
Brazil was 4-2 entering the match, while Mexico was 1-5.
What appeared a mismatch on paper was anything but in the early going, as Mexico took the first set and nearly the second before Brazil turned it around.
Mexico did a fine job with reception in the match, repeatedly handling difficult serves and spikes from their powerful opponents.
Brazil's experience and determination won out in the end of what was a highly entertaining contest.
The Brazil attack and block coalesced in the third and fourth sets to produce the victory.
Mexico came out with energy in the first set and led 8-5 at the first TTO. Andrea Rangel soared for a spike from the wing and Mexico led 13-11. The Mexicans blocked well and were up 20-14. Brazil turned the tables and rallied to pull within 21-20 on a block by Ana Beatriz. Brazil fought off two set points before Rangel rose for a spike and took the set 25-23. Rangel had nine points in the set.
Brazil showed more fight in the second set and was down 8-7 at the first TTO. A block by Adenizia Da Siolva moved Brazil ahead 11-10. Brazil opened up the lead to 16-13 at the second TTO on a big spike by Caixeta. Mexico kept it close but was unable to retake the lead. An ace by Melanie Parra tied it at 23-23, but Brazil won a rally to get set point at 24-23 and took the set 25-23 on a spike by Caixeta.
In the third set Brazil began to find their footing and moved out to an 11-5 lead. Mexico began to commit unforced errors and lost the momentum. They continued and ran the advantage 16-7 at the second TTO. Brazil exerted their dominance and attack to remain in control. They passed and blocked well on the way to claiming the set 25-13.
Mexico came back in the fourth set to make it close again. They trailed 12-11 midway through. Parra delivered an ace as Mexico pulled within one at 15-14. Brazil continued to proceed in a determined manner and won 25-19 on a block by Thaisa Daher de Menezes.