Sainz leads Mexico to opening victory in Pool S

MISSISSAUGA, Canada, May 16, 2014 - In the opening game of the third round, Pool S, of the NORCECA Women’s World Championship Qualification, Mexico beat an inconsistent U.S. Virgin Islands team in three sets, 25-12, 25-14, 25-19.

Lizbeth Sainz led Mexico with 14 poin while Claudia Rios and Angela Rangel added 11 and 10, respectively, in the victory. US Virgin Island’s captain Sacha Gumbs managed seven.

Mexico is expected to be a strong contender on this women’s event, with home-crowd favourites, Canada, also determined to qualify here at the Hershey Centre near Toronto, Ontario.

“This game is going to help us get our rhythm because we’re a new team. We’re going to use this to help us get better tomorrow. We’re going to take it step by step because the most important games are going to be against Jamaica and Canada.” – Jorge Miguel Azair, Head Coach Mexico

“The most important games are against Canada and Jamaica. That was an important game as well because it was the first game we played together as a team. We’re going to use this game to get our rhythm.” – Selena Barajas, Captain Mexico.

“To be honest, yesterday was our first practise together as a team, as most of our women were at college. But we started to improve with each set. It’s an honour being here.” - Lucille Hobson, Head Coach, USVI.

“We started slow in terms of passing and just about everything. The gelling wasn’t there at the beginning. We knew Mexico was going to be a tough team coming in; all the teams are at a high level here. We were going up and down, it was a rollercoaster ride. Hopefully, we will re-group and tomorrow will be another day.”  - Sacha Gumbs, Captain, USVI