LA PAZ, Baja California Sur, June 9, 2022.- Canada´s impressive 22-3 margin in serves earned them their first win at the Women’s U21 Pan American Cup defeating Costa Rica 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-11) at La Paz Arena in Baja California Sur.
Canada concludes the preliminary round with 1-2 record for third place in pool C, while Costa Rica ends in fourth (0-3). Both teams will play for positions 7 to 10 of the event.
Canada’s best performance was in the third set, offensively dominating Costa Rica not only with an impressive margin in serves but with a huge 36-14 advantage in attacking. The North American team also led 4-3 in blocks but committed more errors than Costa Rica (25-13).
Outside hitter Madyson Saris led Canada with 15 points on 10 kills and 5 aces, accompanied by team captain Emoni Bush with 14 points on 7 kills, two blocks and 5 aces; outside hitter Sullie Sundara also added 11 points on 7 kills and 4 aces.
Opposite hitter Angelica Rodriguez and outside hitter Nicole Mata scored 8 and 7 points respectively for Costa Rica.
Emoni Bush, Captain of Canada: “The difference between the third set with the first two is that we had high expectations going into the match and we were pressuring ourselves, we were tentative; in the third we played our game and had much more fun”.
Nicole Mata, Captain of Costa Rica: “We got anxious because we were close in the first two sets, but we should respect Canada who reacted and were more offensive in the third”.
Carolyn O’Dwyer, Head Coach of Canada: “We really took off in the third set, a big piece of it was from the service line, putting in aggressive serves and making Costa Rica uncomfortable. We are now in the classification section, not where we wanted to be, but we will be playing two more matches”.
Henry Rodriguez, head Coach of Costa Rica: “We did well, and I am glad. After being under 2-0, they lost concentration in the third. The player maturity is of influence, there are four born in 2006 and this tournament is a great deal for the two Central American championships that are close. Our libero was resented, and I preferred to give her a break after a small injury in the first set”.
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