SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- Canada got the victory 3-2 in the opening of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Tournament, but Costa Rica was a tough cookie, only declining in the tie-breaker.

In the Nazario Ortiz gymnasium of this state capital, the “ticas” were very close to sending their country to the first victory against Canada in the volleyball history of the Central American nation.

Nevertheless the Mexican fans recognized with a big applause the effort of the smaller team in  the match that finished 25-15, 21-25, 22-25, 25-19 and 15-10.

In the match that lasted 1 hour and 44 minutes, the top scorers for the Canadians, much taller than their rivals, were the captain Sofie Schalagintweit (16), 9 in attacks and 6 in blocks and Caroline Jarmoc (15). For the Costa Ricans, the captain Allison Ramírez (13), 11 via kills, and Angie Arias (11).

Normand Bouchard, head coach of Canada: “In the second and third sets we played a very timid volleyball and the Costa Rican girls defended well, and that was the reason we were behind in those sets, obviously it was good defense and our attack was directed where the opponents were.”

Julio C. Alfaro, head coach of Costa Rica: “I am not happy but still satisfied because my players gave their best. With our limited resources and their physical charasteristics, we could not hope for better, the most important is that they fought very much, and this outcome with our lack of international experience es very positive.”

Sofie Schlagintweit, captain of Canada: “It was an excellent match. To play in cities like this one is not usual for us, the weather is different, ours is very cold, plus the altitude, without taking credit off our opponents, who gave a big fight, a very resilient team, but we found the way to the victory.”

Allison Ramírez, captain of Costa Rica: “It looked a good contest to me, the fact that went to five sets made it very equal, sometimos our resistance failed, but in many moments we kept it up with them, but we could not complete the success.”