Monday, July 16 2012

Trinidad and Tobago’s women volleyballers fell to their second defeat in a row as play in the Eleventh Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup continued in Mexico, Saturday night.

The four-time Caribbean champs were brushed aside by defending champion Brazil 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20) at the Universidad Autónoma Gymnasiums. While the “Calypso Spikers” did not win a set, they went down fighting.

The Brazilians, who were led by Gabriela Braga and Andressa Picussa with 11 points each, benefitted from 30 error points from their opponents. Braga also served three and Picussa two of their teams’ six aces. TT which recorded two aces, one each from Kelly-Anne Billingy and Channon Thompson, had nine blocks, one less than Brazil. However, there was no player from the twin island team in double figures, with their opponent’s errors accounting for 13 points. Captain Krystle Esdelle, Billingy, Jalicia Ross and Abigail Gloud each had five points, while Thompson, Sinead Jack and Rheeza grant had four each.

Speaking after the match, TT’s coach Francisco Cruz said despite the loss, he felt satisfied about his team.

“I had the chance to rotate all the players and the Pan American Cup is important for us because after this we will compete at the Caribbean tournament,” Cruz indicated.

Captain Esdelle said it is a learning experience “We tried to go far and go strong, everybody did their job and it was good for us to learn form an opponent like Brazil”.

Meanwhile Brazil’s captain Natasha Farinea said it was not an easy win. “There are no easy matches. This was a very tough one. Trinidad and Tobago showed a good service and we worked in our block,” Farinea stated.

The “Calypso Spikers”, who are looking to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time in the history of the tournament, must win their next two matches against Costa Rica and Peru.



Saturday’s Results:

Group A

Cuba def USA 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19)

Canada def Colombia 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-13)

Dominican Rep. def Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22).

Group B

Brazil def TT 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20)

Argentina def Mexico 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-21)

Peru def Costa Rico 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-15).