Trinidad and tobago lost battle with Mexico

 

Canada, 19 de septiembre, 2007.Today’s match had more meaning to Mexico who was looking to secure a spot in tomorrow’s quarterfinals. For Trinidad and Tobago it was an opportunity to improve and gain the experience that they came here for, and prepare for their classification match against Costa Rica.

 

Mexico set the pace of the first set leading 8-2 and 16-9 at the technical time outs. However Trinidad and Tobago battled back to within two down 16-18 in the late stages of the set. But Mexico responded to the challenge and pulled away to a 25-22 victory.

 

Set two was a much tighter match-up to start with Mexico holding an 8-5 lead at the first time out. They would maintain their lead up 16-9 at the second time out. That seemed to be the way the rest of the set would finish, as there was no real change in the play of either team with Mexico winning 25-16.

 

The third set witnessed an inspired Trinidadian team as they jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead. Mexico picked away at the lead but remained down by one with Trinidad & Tobago leading 8-7 at the first time out. Mexico continued to pressure scoring three unanswered point to force a time out leading 10-8.

 

Player of the game for Mexico was Migdalel Ruiz with 14 points on 11 kills and 3 service aces while Krystle Esdelle was tops for Trinidad and Tobago with 14 points all on kills.

 

Post Match Quotes:

Team Trinidad and Tobago

Renele Forde – Captain

“I think the game today was not what it should have been. We could have played much better. As our coach says, we did not show our level. We had hoped to do very well and even win this match. Generally I am not satisfied with our performance.”

Francisco Cruz - Head Coach

“I expected a little bit more from my players. I expected them to battle it out a little more because they are capable of doing it, but the lack of international volleyball experience was not in our favour. We paid for that lack of experience today on the court. It is a young team and I have a lot of high hopes for their future development.”

 

Team Mexico

Migdalel Ruiz – Captain

“I think the match today had the result we expected. We didn’t play like we should have, but we have seen that Trinidad has improved since the competition in June, so we must continue to work, continue training to prepare ourselves to face stronger teams.”

 

Macario Gonzalez - Head Coach

“I would like to congratulate Trinidad and Tobago. Today they demonstrated that they are getting to know how to play volleyball. If they continue to train, and Mexico does not continue working, soon they will be beating us. Our team at moments play like they can, but there was no consistency. We were able to win only because Trinidad is young and lacks the experience at this level. The match coming forward again Canada will be very difficult, and the final match against Costa Rica, if Mexico does not continue to improve then we will not beat them.”