Victorious Costa Rica against Trinidad & Tobago

JUANA DÍAZ, PUERTO RICO, June 9, 2023. – Tonight, Costa Rica claimed its first victory of the 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four at the Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum by defeating Trinidad & Tobago.

The Ticas won 20-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-16.

Trinidad & Tobago surprised Costa Rica in the first set by dominating, 25-20. Costa Rica was able to adjust their game and take the victory.

Marcela Araya was the best scorer for Costa Rica with 18 points, Tatiana Sayles Marín and Mónica Castro Castro with 16 points each. For Trinidad & Tobago, Channon Thompson led all scorers with 20 points, 16 in kills, three in blocks and an ace. Krystle Esdelle with 16 points and Kelly-Anne Billingy with six points.

Pablo Acuña, coach of Costa Rica said: “It is very important to start with a victory. And more than a victory, what we focused on was how we played. We played very well on an offensive tactical level. We knew that our first offensive weapon would be the serve. The first set we did very well, we just lowered the intensity a bit in our attack. We improve it in the second. It is important for us to start off on the right foot and improve with each game”. Rica

“It is the first game for many players in several years. In the first set we started on high. Then we lower the pass. We are going to go game by game, day by day,” Trinidad & Tobago coach Saleen Ali said.