T&T sweeps past Guadelope for second round spot

Paramaribo, Suriname, September 1, 2012 - Channon Thompson led three players in double-digit scoring as Caribbean champions Trinidad & Tobago overcame some early pressure from Guadeloupe to secure a straight sets win in their second match of the 2014 FIVB World Volleyball Women's Norceca First Round Group A qualifiers in Paramaribo, Suriname on Saturday afternoon.

Following its four sets win in Saturday's morning session, the "Calypso Spikers" made it two wins from as many matches with a 25-17, 25-14, 25-13 beating of Guadeloupe in a clash of unbeaten teams in just 63 minutes at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sports Hall.

After two matches T&T has nine points followed by host Suriname with seven points, Guadeloupe with three and Bahamas with one ahead of Sunday morning's final round of preliminary matches before the final playoffs.

Thompson topscored with 13 points while Kelly-Ann Billingy got 12 and captain Krystle Esdelle, 11 for Trinidad & Tobago which also assured itself of a top two finish in the four-team group and a place in the next round of World Championship qualifiers which spike off next year.

For Guadeloupe, captain Isabelle Acina had a team high eight points as her team found it hard to contain the Trinidad & Tobago offence which held a 35-11 advantage on spikes and 14-5 on service aces.

Commenting on the loss, Acina said her team felt honoured to play against the top team in the Caribbean in T&T.

"When we play T&T we tend to improve our level of play because we like good volleyball. We try to push as hard as we could even though we know it is difficult but we learn from it and we hope to do better in our next match.

Esdelle was quick to note she felt her team took Guadeloupe for granted which resulted in a 7-13 first set deficit.

"We found ourselves in a hole early on as Guadeloupe came out to play while we were too relaxed, but we were able to step up our game and while not 100 per cent we got another win,” Esdelle said.

Guadeloupe's coach, Jean-Louis Delag said anytime his team gets a chance to play against Trinidad & Tobago he is honoured because it brings out the best in his girls.

"However at this level against better teams we need to be more consistent in our serving and passing to be more competitive."

T&T coach Francisco Cruz said he felt it was a good competitive match by both teams and admitted early on his players had some difficulties after which he made some adjustments.

"We have to respect all teams in every match and it is necessary that as players you always give 100 per cent because matches are won on the court,” Cruz stated. “Even though we are the top team in the Caribbean we have to remember our opponents have nothing to lose when they play against us and will fight for everything."