Cuba stopped the march of Trinidad y Tobago

HAVANA, Cuba, May 16, 2014 – Cuba stopped Trinidad and Tobago to conclude the preliminary round of the NORCECA Women’s World Championship Qualification Tournament Group Q with excellent rhythm in preparation for a decisive match between the two squads on Saturday at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum.

Relying on a fast tempo, the home team didn’t allow many chances to their opponents for the first two sets of the victory 25-15, 24-16, 26-24.

Alena Rojas led the winners with 15 points followed by Melissa Vargas and Jennifer Alvarez with 14 and 11 points, respectively. Sinead Jack was the only Trinidadian with double-figures in scoring with 10 tallies.

Cuba’s Coach Juan Carlos Gala: “The sparkplug of our team, Melissa, lost her concentration a little bit in the last set when she faulted several serves.  We won but the important match with the real value is the Saturday’s match.”

Cuba’s Captain Rosanna Giel commented: “It was good winning today to hurt their confidence. We were committed to win all our matches by 3-0 and on Saturday we have came in stronger to secure our participation in the world championship.”

Francisco Cruz, Coach of Trinidad and Tobago, said neither of the teams showed everything on Friday.

“We know the things we need to work out to play a different game,” Cruz said. “The Cubans were more consistent than us and to stop them we need to serve and block well. I hope my players can use that combination on Saturday.”

Kelly-Anne Billingy, Captain of Trinidad and Tobago, said the first two sets were for the teams to study each other “but we need to learn from the mistakes since we will play again tomorrow.”