Puerto Rico scores 21 aces in victory over Jamaica

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 13, 2017 – Puerto Rico swept Jamaica 3-0 (25-19, 25-10, 25-17) with a flurry of strong serves in the first match of the NORCECA Final Women’s Qualification Tournament Group A on Friday.

Stephanie Enright and Daly Santana led the parade of good servers for Puerto Rico with 7 and 6 aces, respectively. The winners outclassed their opponents 21-1 but the Jamaicans out blocked Puerto Rico 6-1.

Enright, who joined setter Natalia Valentin as the only Puerto Ricans to start in the three sets, was the leading scored with 13 points. Santana added 10 in the victory and Neira Ortiz contributed 7 points.

Aiko Jones had 6 points as the best scorer for Jamaica.

Ricardo Chong, Coach of Jamaica: “We played against a team that is among the top 15 in the world. They showed a strong service game and good defense which created problems in the first two sets. In the third set we reduced the mistakes and y team played more relaxed, but we need to continue working and learning.”

Tahiela Bishop, Captain of Jamaica: “We have to take these matches against teams like Puerto Rico to learn and improve our volleyball.”

Javier Gaspar, Coach of Puerto Rico: “I am not satisfied about how we closed the match. I think we didn’t have energy and the players who are supposed to provide didn’t do it. I think the nervousness affected the girls in the third set after dominating comfortably the two first frames. We need to improve those details in order to maintain the option of achieving our objective without complications.”

Natalia Valentín, Captain of Puerto Rico: “we played hard the whole match without disrespecting the opponent. This tournament has an extra for our team due to the situation going on in our country. We have to plat with heart and soul. We played well but will continue doing the adjustments to win the event.”