Cuba defeats Trinidad & Tobago

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, June 14, 2014 – Cuba defeated Trinidad & Tobago in four sets (25-17, 25-18, 20-25, 25-10) to even up its record at 2-2 in Pool A of the XIII Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at Juan de la Barrera Gymnasium on Saturday. The defeated side dropped to 0-4.

Melissa Vargas scored 24 points, including a tournament-high 7 blocks, to pace the Cuban offense. Daymara Lescay added five blocks to go with 12 points and Dayami Sanchez added 8 points, in the victory. Krystle Esdelle had 20 points for the defeated side.

It was the first time in history that Trinidad & Tobago win a set against Cuba. The winners held a huge margin of 16-6 in the blocking charts while the defeated side had the edge in aces 7-6.

“We came to fight for every ball and well animated to beat the opponent,” Cuba’s Sulian Matienzo said. “Now we have to be prepared to play Peru and I am sure we will be back tomorrow to get the victory.”

“I thought we were going to win 3-0 but I am satisfied after all,” Cuba’s Juan Carlos Gala said. “It was a good signal they came back to win the fourth set by big difference after losing the third set.”

“We were maybe too relaxed in the fourth set, I really don’t have an answer,” Esdelle said. “We lost the momentum. We need better communication but we are getting there.”

“Today we played pretty well considering the conditions we are training back home,” Trinidad & tobago’s Coach Francisco Cruz said. “I think they did much better than in Havana during the qualifier.”