Pavan leads Canada victory over Trinidad and Tobago

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, September 12, 2011 – Sarah Pavan recorded a match-high 23 points leading Canada to a 3-1 (25-15, 28-30, 25-22, 25-11) victory over Trinidad and Tobago in day one of the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship on Monday night.

Three other Canadian players finished the match with double digits in the scores. Sherline Holness had 18 including six blocks, while Kyla Richey and Marisa Field added 13 and 11 respectively. Trinidadian Krystle Esdelle totaled 20 points and teammate Rheeza Grant collected 11 tallies.

It was the first time ever that Trinidad and Tobago won a set against the North American side. The Canadians held an 18-13 margin in the battle at the net.

“We have not played the USA team for a couple of years,” Canada’s Tammy Mahon said about the contest of Tuesday. “But we are going to take it like just another match.”

“We didn’t have a good communication during the fourth set but we are really satisfied with the fighting spirit we showed in the second set,” Trinidadian Esdelle said.

“Trinidad and Tobago played really well and in the second and third sets,” Canada’s Coach Arnd Ludwig said. “About the match against USA we don’t have anything to lose and the match will tell the final word.”

“We move one step forward with each competition and today we followed the same pattern,” Trinidad and Tobago’s coach Francisco Cruz said. “We won our first set ever against Canada and battled until the end in another.”