Puerto Rico beats Costa Rica to finish fifth

NOGALES, Mexico, May 28, 2023.- Puerto Rico beat Costa Rica in straight sets (25-17, 25-21, 25-21) for the fifth place of the U21 Women’s NORCECA Pan American Cup on Sunday in Nogales, Sonora.

Puerto Rico finished the event with a 3-3 win-loss record and Costa Rica 2-4.

Puerto Rican opposite hitter Grace Lopez topped all scorers with 19 points on 17 kills, one block and one ace. Outside hitter Elena Garcia produced 10 points on 7 kills, two blocks and one ace. Aurora Moctezuma also scored 10 points.

Outside hitter Joselyn Moraga led Costa Rica with 13 points on 10 kills, one block and two aces. Team captain Angelica Rodriguez alongside middle blocker Nhya Barley chipped in with 8 and 6 points respectively.

José Rivera, coach of Puerto Rico: “I am satisfied, in last year’s edition we finished sixth and we ascended to fifth. We improved our receiving percentage collectively; we incorporated the middles in our offense, and we improved in blocking. In this match we pressured with serves and committed few errors, we followed our game plan to finish in three sets”.

Edivaldo Bonilla, coach of Costa Rica: “This wasn’t our best game, just like the previous ones against Belize and Guatemala, we didn’t play at our level. We must analyze ourselves and demand more of us if we want to grow and stand out”.