Cuba sweep Trinidad and Tobago, book ticket to Italy

HAVANA, Cuba, May 17, 2014 – Cuba qualified to the FIVB Women’s World Championship in Italy with a straight set (25-18, 25-20, 25-13) victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum on Saturday.

The Cubans won all their matches by 3-0 score including two against the Trinidadians at the NORCECA Group Q Qualification Tournament.

Cuba’s Melissa Vargas and Jennifer Alvarez both scored in double figures with 13 points apiece much to the joy of the fans who came to cheer for the new generation of Las Morenas del Caribe. Vargas had five aces and Orta added three as Cuba outserved Trinidad 10-5.

Darlene Ramdin topped Trinidad and Tobago with 8 points.

Cuba’s Coach Juan Carlos Gala: “They made some tactical changes and the players themselves changed positions trying to neutralize us but couldn’t do it. Melissa was sharp with her serves today and Alena Orta was effective. The girls fulfilled their goals and now we are in Italy.”

A joyful Rosanna Giel, the Cuban Captain, said: “We worked very hard to achieve this goal of winning the event without losing a single set. Now we are going to work the skin off to do a good job in the world championship.”

Cuban Francisco Cruz, the coach of Trinidad and Tobago: “Our opponents did a good job with their serves and practically didn’t allow us to play and I can’t ask for more because we only train eight, ten hours a week. But we’ll take advantage of the playoffs in Trinidad, the last chance to qualify.”

Kelly-Anne Billingy, the Trinidadian Captain said to be disappointed with the result.

“We could have played better in this second match, but it was not possible,” she said. “Now we have to focus and think about that last opportunity to qualify to the world championship.”