Mexico Sweeps Trinidad & Tobago to Finish Fifth

OMAHA, Nebraska, September 21, 2013 – Mexico finished the 2013 Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship in fifth place after defeating Trinidad & Tobago 25-23, 25-19, 25-22 on Saturday afternoon at Ralston Arena.

Lizbeth Sainz led Mexico with 15 points and Andrea Rangel added 14 points. Trinidad & Tobago was led by Darlene Ramdin’s 14 points, while Krystle Esdelle added nine points.

Mexico held a 41-32 advantage in kills and a slim 6-5 margin in aces. Trinidad & Tobago held a 10-6 edge in blocks.

Mexico Captain Dulce Carranza: “We came with hopes of finishing in a higher spot, but that didn’t work out the way we wanted it to. After the loss to Puerto Rico, we had to regroup and make sure that we competed the way we wanted to. We have to keep competing with heart and not give up so that we can compete and finish strong.”

Mexico Coach Claudio Torres: “We have learned to make sure we stay focused on the skill sets that we have set in motion. Playing against teams at this level, it is important that we maintain our composure and use our skills to be able to compete.”

Trinidad & Tobago Captain Krystle Esdelle: “There is more than one (lesson that we take away). Some learned how to deal with injuries. Some learned to come out and play hard every day. We’ve got to work on a lot of things from now on. I’m not happy right now because I think we could have done better.”

Trinidad & Tobago Coach Francisco Cruz: “I think they are satisfied to finish in sixth place. They did everything they could to stay out of the eighth-place match. I think we were just too comfortable and being OK with sixth. Overall, I am satisfied because this team has never played on the last of the tournament. That in itself is an accomplishment.”

Photos of the match can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/49lockb57fsrcg1/JJkzi1u1t7. All matches in the Visit Omaha NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship can be viewed online at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Events/Live-Webcast.