Mexico aims to finish fifth place after defeating Trinidad & Tobago

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 7, 2023.- Mexico defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-22) and aims to a fifth place finish in Women’s Volleyball of the 2023 San Salvador Central American and Caribbean Games.

Mexico will play for fifth place in the event on Saturday, against the winner between host El Salvador and Costa Rica, and the losers go up against Trinidad & Tobago for seventh place.

Trinidad & Tobago had momentum in leading the third set with a four-point advantage (11-7) until Mexico gained territory once again to finish in straight sets.

Mexico finished with a huge 47 to 20 advantage in points from attacks and an 8-1 margin in aces. Trinidad & Tobago outplayed Mexico in blocks 7-4 and committed fewer errors, 16 against 27.

Three players from Mexico scored double digits, led by outside hitter Melanie Parra (15 points), middle blocker Karina Flores (13 points) and outside hitter Grecia Castro (10 points). Middle blocker Jocelyn Urias scored a match-high of 4 aces.

Opposite hitter Krystle Esdelle led Trinidad & Tobago with 8 points and team captain, middle blocker Jalicia Ross added 7.

Karina Flores, Middle blocker of Mexico: “Trinidad & Tobago improved in system in the third set, and we lacked focus, they took advantage of that. Tomorrow we are going for fifth place, we wanted to win a medal, but it wasn’t possible because of different circumstances. We must improve, we have a long summer of seven tournaments, and we want to take out the most of our new coach Nicola Negro”.

Krystle Esdelle, Top scorer of Trinidad & Tobago: “We didn’t want to give in, I was motivating the team to keep pushing for every point, to play and enjoy the game. Tomorrow I would like our team to bring higher energy, to focus and give one hundred percent no matter what the outcome is”.