Puerto Rico earns second win at Central American and Caribbean Games

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, July 21, 2018.- Puerto Rico earned their second win in pool A of the women’s volleyball tournament at the XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games of Barranquilla defeating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-20) on Saturday at Humberto Perea Coliseum.

Puerto Rico used different combinations in their lineup, using their entire roster to improve their win-loss record 2-0 in pool A.

Puerto Rico edged Costa Rica with a comfortable 43-26 margin in attacks and a 7-3 margin in blocking. Both teams scored two aces, while Puerto Rico allowed 20 unforced error points and Costa Rica 23 points.

Middle blocker Alba Hernandez of Puerto Rico (playing only two sets) with 10 points and wing spiker Yuliana Gonzalez of Costa Rica with 13 points, were the only players with double-figures. Puerto Rican Daly Santana contributed with 9 points.

The preliminary round for pool A finishes with Puerto Rico playing against host Colombia and Costa Rica to Trinidad and Tobago.

“This was a different rhythm; Costa Rica had control at the beginning of each set. We pressured hard with serves and our height dominated over the net to finish on top, still, Costa Rica smacked several attacks against our hands. We are focused on our goal and now we must focus on Colombia” said Puerto Rico’s captain Natalia Valentin.

Captain Tannia Carazo of Costa Rica said her team performed well, “we did it better today, it was a good effort, giving our best. We are improving as a team, but we must work on concentrating better; maybe we are fatigued from the Pan Am Cup”.

Head coach Javier Gaspar of Puerto Rico said “our intention was to give rest to some of our starters but we lacked energy and concentration, which made us to extend Daly Santana’s time on court. We recovered from some complications during our performance. Now we have to prepare to face Colombia, a strong opponent”.

Head coach Cesar Salas of Costa Rica indicated that their goal was to improve “yesterday we executed badly and I believe we were better today, we led on occasions. We still are committing simple errors, but my team is young and this competition will help them develop”.