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Mexico brushes aside Costa Rica in Playoff opener
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, July 16, 2014 - Mexico dismissed Costa
Rica 25-14, 25-17, 25-11 to take a significant step in their
quest to qualify for the Women’s World Volleyball Championships
in the opening match of the NORCECA Playoff Wednesday night at
Sport & Physical Education Centre of the St Augustine Campus of
the University of the West Indies.
In the battle of the two highest ranked teams in the tournament,
the Mexicans, who are ranked just one place higher at No. 28 in
the world, were completely dominant and needed just 71 minutes
to achieve their victory.
Captain Andrea Rangel (16), Lizbeth Sainz (14) and Dulce
Carranza (11) scored in doubles figures for the winners, while
skipper Verania Willis led the way for Costa Rica with nine
points.
The Mexicans completely dominated in service aces (13-2) and
both teams scored with four blocks.
Mexican coach Miguel Jorge Azair was relieved because he
expected a stronger challenge and admitted that he was “worried
about the Costa Ricans.” This was a very important game and
Costa Rica did not play well, but I am happy about how well our
girls played in the first game of the tournament.”
Costa Rican coach Horacio Bastit stated “they pressured us with
their serve and this is the worst game we have played against
Mexico. We really struggled with passing the ball.”
Nicaragua, Panama and host country Trinidad and Tobago are the
other countries involved in the round-robin tournament and the
team which comes out on top on July 20 will secure the 24th and
final place in the World Championships, which will take place in
Italy from September 23-October 12. |
