Mexico to play Cuba for top place in Pool B

TIJUANA, Mexico, April 30, 2012 – Hosts Mexico remained with an unbeaten record following a 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-23) victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Monday night to advance to a decisive match against Cuba for the top place in Pool B of the NORCECA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament .

Trinidad and Tobago is scheduled to play Costa Rica for a spot in the quarterfinals to be played on Wednesday.

Karla Sainz, Alejandra Isiordia and Claudia Rios each finished the match with 8 points for the winning team while Olivia Meza added 7.

Krystle Esdelle registered a match-high 18 points but her titanic effort was not enough for the Trinidadian squad. Delana Mitchell and Rheeza Grant charted 10 and 7 points respectively.

“This was a very tough match,” Mexico’s Sainz said. “We are improving, playing better step by step. Tomorrow we are going to prepare well to face Cuba.”

“They played well, and we committed unforced errors which gave them the edge,” Trinidad and Tobago’s Esdelle said. “But we are in a process to continue with our development.”

“The service was fundamental for us,” Mexico’s Coach Estanislao Vachino sad. “Trinidad and Tobago is very strong in blocking situations and also in attack. Fortunately we have played a good game and when you are in the beginning of a new process it is good to achieve victories.”

Trinidad and Tobago’s Coach Francisco Cruz commented: “Mexico keeps showing its development, with more dominance of the court, the defense zone and more presence in front of the net, because most of the points are made there. We have five missing players in this tournament, but I think my group played much better tonight without them.”