Costa Rica to play for fifth place

TIJUANA, Mexico, May 4, 2012 – Costa Rica advanced to a match for the fifth position in the NORCECA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament by dispatching Honduras in straight sets (25-11, 25-9, 25-11) in just 55 minutes on Friday.

Catalina Fernandez and Verania Willis topped Costa Rica’s scoring stats with 9 and 8 points respectively while Karen Cope, Angela Willis and Paola Ramirez each contributed 7 points to the victory. Honduras’ Catarine Leiva finished with five tallies.

Verania Willis recorded five aces leading Costa Rica to a 13-1 advantage in serving aces and the winners also outblocked the defated side 7-2.

“We put in practice our game-plan and everything clicked,” Verania said. “Now we have to focus in our next match.”

Leiva said: “I don’t have any comments on today’s match. We need to go back Honduras and start working on improving our pass and defense.”

Xavier Perales, Coach of Costa Rica, commented: “I was able to rotate my players and give them the chance to play without losing the level of intensity.”

Matt Winkler, Coach of Honduras, said: “I am disappointed with the lack of intensity and motivation. We fell short trying to match-up with Costa Rica. I am looking forward to play them again next September at the Central American Championship