Costa Rica overcame Trinidad & Tobago

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico, July 19, 2010 – Costa Rica overcame a 4-0 deficit in the tie-breaker and defeated Trinidad & Tobago 25-18, 25-27, 22-25, 25-19, 15-11 in a volleyball match of the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games. Both teams have 1-1 record in Pool A.

Verania Willis and Karen Cope compiled 19 and 15 points respectively for Costa Rica who benefited from 53 errors committed by the opponent. Trinidadians Channon Thompson and Krystle Esdelle had 23 and 22 points and Rheeza Grant added 12.

“The key was that we never gave up despite falling behind in the fifth set and at the end the team that made lesser errors won it,” Costa Rican Braulio Godinez said. “I think our experience was also a factor to handle the pressure in the tie-breaker.”

“Too many errors from our side and the better defense and passing of Costa Rica decided the match,” commented Francisco Cruz the coach of Trinidad & Tobago. “We need to work more and some of the players need to handle the pressure situations.”