Cuba too strong for T&T women

T&T’s senior women’s volleyball squad got its quest for a spot at the London Olympic off to a losing start, going under to three-time Olympic champion Cuba in straight sets in its Group B opener of the Norceca Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament, yesterday. Cuba, coached by former T&T senior men’s coach Juan Carlos Gala shook off a slow start before brushing aside the 34th world ranked “Calypso Spikers”, 25-15, 25-7, 25-12 in 58 minutes. Yoana Palacios led the way for Cuba with 15 points while Yanelis Santos added 11. Delana Mitchell topscored with five points and captain Krystle Esdelle got four for the T&T squad, who entered the tournament without three key players in Kelly-Anne Bilingy and the Poland-based duo of Sinead Jack and Channon Thompson due to injury and club commitments respectively.

 

 

In yesterday’s opening match,  Dominican Republic steamrolled debutantes  Honduras 25-5, 25-5, 25-7 in Pool A. Gina Mambru had a team-high 14 points to lead Dominican Republic, who rested a few regular starters while Cindy Rondon added 12 and Prisilla Rivera, ten. Two other matches were scheduled last night with 22nd ranked three-time Olympic qualifiers Canada against 19th ranked Puerto Rico while  host Mexico faced Costa Rica. 

Today, T&T will hope to bounce back when facing host Mexico before closing out round-robin group play versus Costa Rica tomorrow. In today’s other matches Cuba and Mexico tangle from 10pm in Pool B while Puerto Rico meets Honduras from 3pm, and Dominican Republic faces Canada from 8pm.