Mexico claims fifth position

TIJUANA, Mexico, May 5, 2012 – Hosts Mexico handed Costa Rica a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-22) defeat in the match for fifth place of the NORCECA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament on Saturday.

Alejandra Isiordia and Karla Sainz were Mexico’s top scorers with 16 and 10 points respectively and Claudia Rios added 7. Costa Rica’s Verania Willis had a match-high 21 points and Karen Cope charted 8.

Both teams served 6 aces but Mexico was better in the blocking category 8-4. Costa Rica made 27 errors to 18 by the winners.

“The fifth place is a reason to be calm and confident because this is a young team,” Mexico’s Coach Estanislao Vachino said. “We could close the match but it was mostly their errors than our qualities.”

 “Mexico played at a high level but my team evolved during the tournament and had more answers,” Costa Rica’s Coach Xavier Perales said. “Now we have to analyze our mistakes and train for the next tournament.”