Puerto Rico brush aside Trinidad in three sets

CALLAO, Peru, June 12, 2013 – Puerto Rico defeated Trinidad & Tobago 25-19, 25-18, 25-12 to finish the preliminary phase in Pool A of the Movistar Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup with seven points and a 1-2 win-loss record.

Despite the advantage in blocks of the Trinidadians (10-6) the Puerto Ricans made fewer mistakes (8-21) and scored with more services (8-3).

Yarimar Rosa and Karina Ocasio spearheaded Puerto Rico with 15 and 9 points respectively while Lynda Morales and Diana Reyes each added 7. Channon Thompson was the best for Trinidad & Tobago finishing with 15 points while Sinead Jack tallied 10.

“Our offensive serves were the key for us today,” Rosa commented. “It was important to get this victory in three sets and now we have to continue improving our game and achieve the goal of qualifying to the Grand Prix.”

“We didn’t have response to the quick game established by Puerto Rico,” said Krystle Esdelle. “We still have ways to go in our game.”

“We emphasized in our serves to neutralize their power,” Puerto Rico’s Coach Rafael Olazagasti said. “We executed well in that aspect. That was a key.”

Francisco Cruz, the Coach of Trinidad & Tobago said: “Our biggest problems are the defense and the passing. That’s something we need to overcome in order to play against teams like Puerto Rico.”