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Tijuana, Mexico, August 27, 2009 – The last
chance to qualify to the 2010 FIVB Women’s World
Championship is only hours away for four NORCECA
teams that will battle for two tickets available
in this weekend’s Playoff Round.
Canada, coached by German Arnd Ludwig, is
considered to have the inside track in the run
for the Japan’s Final Round while a big
contention for the remaining berth is expected
between hosts Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad &
Tobago.
Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba and United
States are already qualified to Japan as winners
of third round tournaments.
Despite their condition as favorites, Captain
Tammy Mahon is taking a conservative approach
one day before the start of the action.
“Even though we have been labeled as favorites I
think the matches are going to be tough,” she
said. “I think Mexico also has a good chance to
reach the Japan stage.”
Canada, led by Tiffany Dodds and Nadine
Alphonse, defeated Costa Rica in straight sets
(25-20, 25-13, 25-19) to take the seventh place
in the Pan American Cup last July in Miami.
The Costa Ricans rely on the attacking power of
siblings Verania and Angela Willis and high
leaping Karen Cope.
In the same event, Mexico came back from a 1-2
deficit to defeat Trinidad and Tobago 18-25,
25-15, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13 to take the ninth
place.
Marta Revuelta, Olivia Meza and returning
veteran Claudia Rodriguez are the main Mexican
players while the Trinidadians rely on the pure
power generated by Kelly-Anne Billingy and
Krystle Esdelle.
The four teams earned the chance to compete in
the last Playoff by finishing in second place in
the four third round tournament held in NORCECA.
Mexico lost to Dominican Republic 25-14, 25-10,
25-11 in Santiago de los Caballeros last June,
while Canada finished second to Puerto Rico in
Caguas last July. The North Americans were
defeated 25-21, 25-19, 25-18.
Just after the Pan American Cup, Costa Rica lost
to United States 25-15, 25-9, 25-15 in Orlando,
Florida last July.
Meanwhile, Trinidad & Tobago won a second round
tournament at home with an unbeaten record last
June and then lost to Cuba in Havana two weeks
later by score of 25-6, 25-15, 25-20.
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