Mexico to play for place in Italy

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, July 19, 2014 -  Mexico will play for a ticket to the Women’s World Volleyball Championships after they trounced Nicaragua 25-15, 25-14, 25-19 Saturday night at Sport & Physical Education Centre of the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.

Mexico will meet Trinidad and Tobago in the final match of the NORCECA playoff tournament on Sunday night and the winner will secure the 24^th and final spot in the World Championships in Italy from September 23-October 12.

The hosts have won their three matches to date in this round-robin competition in straight sets and Mexico joined them on Saturday with their third straight-set triumph.

Skipper Andrea Rangel and Claudia Rios led the way with 13 points apiece, while Dulce Carranza and Lizbeth Sainz contributed 11 points each to the Mexican cause.

Only captain Claudia Noguera Mayorga (10) scored in double figures for her team in the match, which lasted just over an hour.

The winners completely dominated in spikes (41-23), blocked shots (14-1) and service winners (7-1) and also committed less unforced errors (13-20) than their opponents.

Nicaragua’s coach Rene Quintana stated: “We tried our best. It is very difficult to play against Mexico. They are strong in blocking and attacking and almost perfect in reception.”

The Nicaraguans have one victory from three matches and Quintana is looking to end the tournament on a high note by upsetting Costa Rica on Sunday.

“Tonight’s match was important, but tomorrow we have to play with heart and soul to qualify,” said Mexican coach Miguel Jorge Azair, who concluded that “we will win” against Trinidad and Tobago.