T&T Calypso Spikers go into their match final Pool B match at the 22nd Norceca Women’s Continental Championship against five-time champions and world second-ranked USA from 4 pm, needing a victory to have a chance at a quarterfinal spot. This after 20th world-ranked Canada got the better of 29th world-ranked T&T, 25-15, 28-30, 25-22, 25-11 in the pool opener at Hector Sola Bezares Coliseum in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on Monday night. T&T, the reigning four-time Caribbean champion, coming off a tenth-place showing at the 12-team Pan American Cup in Mexico in July, was hoping to avenge a 15-25, 17-25, 17-26 loss to the Canadians in their seventh to tenth place semifinal at the same tournament. However, Canada, led by Sarah Pavan who recorded a match-high 23 points, proved too much for the local women.
However, it was the first time that T&T had won a set against the Canadians. Three other Canadians, Sherline Holness (18 points, including six blocks), Kyla Richey (13) and Marisa Field (11) also scored in doubles figures. For the Calypso Spikers, France-based captain Krystle Esdelle top-scored with 20 points, Rheeza Grant added 11, while Poland-based 17-year-old Sinead Jack and Shurvette Beckles got six points each. Vice captain Kelly-Anne Billingy and Channon Thompson, the other Polish-based player, got four points apiece. Speaking after the loss, Esdelle said, “We didn’t have good communication during the fourth set but we are really satisfied with the fighting spirit we showed in the second set.” T&T coach, Cuban-born Francisco “Panchee” Cruz, said the match showed the team was moving a step forward with each competition as it was the first time they had won a set against Canada and battled until the end in another.”
Today’s meeting with the Americans will be the second in three months for T&T after an 11-25, 17-25, 18-25 loss at the Pan Am Cup in July. Also on Monday, defending champions, Dominican Republic outclassed Panama 25-12, 25-10, 25-15 in the opening match led by Dahiana Burgos with 11 points in Group C. The winner of the tournament will earn a ticket to the FIVB World Cup in Japan next November.
Fixtures
Today
Group A: Mexico vs Puerto Rico, 8 pm
Group B: T&T vs USA, 4 pm
Group C: Cuba vs Dominican Republic, 6 pm
Tomorrow
Classifications for 7th to 9th play-offs
Quarterfinals
Friday
Classifications for 7th to 8th
Semifinals
Saturday
Classifications 5th to 6th
Finals and Third place play-offs
Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Nigel Simon