Puerto Rico takes down Trinidad and Tobago at Barranquilla opener

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, July 20, 2018. - Puerto Rico took down Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20) in pool B at opening match of the women’s volleyball tournament of the 2018 Barranquilla XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games in Humberto Perea Coliseum.

Trinidad and Tobago brought excitement winning the first set from different scoring positions. Puerto Rico’s offense woke up in set two, dominating the actions on a comfortable 11-9 lead. It was only a matter of time for Puerto Rico to move ahead.

Puerto Rico scored on 43 opponent errors while limiting there’s to 26 points. Trinidad and Tobago led in attacks 40-37, and Puerto Rico held 9-8 and 5-4 advantage in blocking and aces respectively.

Wing spiker Daly Santana of Puerto Rico scored 18 points all in kills as the best scorer of the match; opposite player Shirley Ferrer helped with 9 points, 6 on kills and two aces. Wing spiker Channon Thompson topped Trinidad and Tobago with 15 points on 13 kills and 2 blocks; setter Kelly-Anne Billingy came from the bench, completing only the fourth set, scoring 15 points; and opposite player Krystle Esdelle scored 12 points on 10 kills and 2 aces.

On day two, Puerto Rico plays to Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago meets host Colombia.

Captain Natalia Valentín of Puerto Rico expressed “after losing the first set we were really focused, improving in serves and scoring. Our goal is to win a medal and we must win one match at a time to get there”.

Renele Forde captain of Trinidad and Tobago said “our blocking and serving game started very strong allowing us to control the first set. Puerto Rico made some adjustments and we weren’t able to stop their attacks; our blocking and defense was off. Also we weren’t able to react, committing several errors”.

“Trinidad and Tobago really played us well at the Pan Am Cup and the first set here too” indicated coach Javier Gaspar of Puerto Rico.

“Their serves were effective and our offense wasn’t going well in set one; I think our serves weren’t pressuring them enough and Trinidad was comfortably scoring from everywhere. While adjusting our serves and our marking well with blocks, we contained their attackers and scored much easily. For us, everything begins with serving to minimize our opponents’ offense. Comparing our performance against them at the Pan Am Cup, our passing was steadier and Daly Santana made a difference” he added.

Head coach of Trinidad and Tobago, Francisco Cruz, said to be pleased with the first set, “we weren’t able to keep up the rhythm because our lack of physical condition and of course the fact that Puerto Rico improved in serves. My players lost control and as well as concentration; I had to invent, using a different middle blocker. We finished with too many errors, helping Puerto Rico”.