Costa Rica to play Nicaragua for fifth place 

TIJUANA, México, July 6, 2012 - Costa Rica defeated US Virgin in straight sets (25-17, 25-20 y 26-24) to compete with Nicaragua for fifth place of the NORCECA Boy’s U-19 Continental Championship.

Asseah Thomas finished with 17 points for US Virgin Islands while Luis Diego Abarca registered 13 for Costa Rica.

“It was a competitive match, we came out fighting, playing hard, but the best team won,” Lakish Plante said about the US Virgin Islands game today.

“We improved on defense and block, but we still have to correct and adjust some things we failed, especially on the third set when they attacked a little bit more, fortunately we got the victory,” Costa Rican Andres Araya said.

“I am disappointed the way we played today. We also missed our captain (Nayib Gonzalez) and some other important players, and we must keep working hard,” US Virgin Islands coach Mark Daniel said.

For Alberto Travieso the Caribbean Team was a huge challenge.

“We were prepared for this match expecting a lot of pressure,” he said. “Our team struggled in the third set while they applied a good tactical plan with fake and good block plays, but thanks God we won.”