Mexico in driver’s seat for playoff berth after win over Trinidad and Tobago

GATINEAU, Canada, August 17, 2010 – Mexico gained a stranglehold on a playoff berth at the NORCECA junior men’s volleyball championships on Tuesday with a 25-15, 25-13, 25-9 victory over winless Trinidad and Tobago.

Ricardo Galindo led the Mexicans with 10 points while Jose Mendoza and Jorge Cabrera added eight each.  Brandon Legall led Trinidad and Tobago in scoring with six points. With the victory, Mexico has a 2-0 record in round robin play in pool C.

“We have been playing well but we can still improve our game,” said Mexico’s head coach Francisco Javier Jimenez Espitia.  “Our goal here is to be one of the top teams and we can’t be totally satisfied with our playing so far.”

“The players are getting into rhythm and feeling better everyday,” said Mexico’s team captain Jorge Barajas.  “We have a very strong opponent tomorrow (USA) and we expect to be in our best condition for this match.”

For Trinidad and Tobago (0-2) this tournament is about gaining some more valuable international experience.

“Our team played fair today in comparison to what I know they could do,” said Trinidad and Tobago’s head coach Gideon Dickson.  “We lack experience at this level and it particularly showed in the third set.”

“We showed a lot of improvement today and the support that was lacking yesterday was there today,” said Akim Bushe who notched five points for Trinidad and Tobago.  “The game is a lot faster at this level and we just want to better again in our next match.”