Tag: 2023 Women NORCECA Final Four

JUANA DIAZ, Puerto Rico, June 11, 2023.- Puerto Rico’s setter Wilmarie Rivera was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four that concluded on Sunday in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico.

Rivera received the recognition during the closing ceremony after Puerto Rico won the gold medal defeating Costa Rica in straight sets.

In other recognitions to Puerto Rico’s players, Paola Rojas was the first middle blocker.  Also from Puerto Rico, Alba Hernández was the second middle blocker.

From Trinidad and Tobago, Channon Thompson was recognized as the best scorer and best spiker of the tournament. Krystle Esdelle (TTO) was awarded the best service.

From Costa Rica, María José Castro distinguished digger, best receiver and libero. Castro was accompanied by teammates Melissa Campos was awarded as the best setter and opposite hitter Tatiana Sayles Marin the second spiker of the tournament. Captain Marcela Araya, second best spike.

JUANA DÍAZ, Puerto Rico, June 11, 2023.- Puerto Rico claimed the gold medal and defeating Costs Rica 3-0 (25-23, 25-10, 25-7) at the 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four at Dolores Martínez Coliseum in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico finished first place undefeated (3-0) and Costa Rica in second place (2-1).

The Puerto Rican team dominated 33-22 in attacks, 13-1 in blocks and 8-1 in serves.

Opposite hitter Génesis Collazo scored nine points for the Puerto Rico, on eight attacks.

Outside hitter Alondra Vázquez also contributed in the win with eight points on six kills, and one ace; and Paola Rojas with seven points, five in blocks.

Costa Rica was led by captain Marcela Araya with 10 points.

Fernando Morales, coach of Puerto Rico: “It was important to win this tournament and not just win this tournament, it was to do what we have practiced with this new group, which for the first time will have the group the entire summer. We played and won the gold medal against the best team in this tournament; and, winning the ticket to the VCC is a new opportunity to qualify for the VNL (Volleyball Nations League), because last year we couldn’t do it in Croatia. With the complete team, we understand that we have a much better chance of qualifying for the VNL.”

Shara Venegas, captain of Puerto Rico: “Shara Venegas, captain of Puerto Rico: “This victory and this medal mean satisfaction. As a team we are getting along and we have completed our first objective, which was to win the gold medal here at home and with our people. It has been a very beautiful moment that God has given us. It is my first gold medal in Puerto Rico and I want to celebrate and enjoy it with my family. This medal is for Puerto Rico and for my town of Toa Baja.”

Pablo Acuña, coach of Costa Rica: “It was a participation that shows excellence on the part of our players because we have gone through many difficulties at the level of injuries, at the level of preparation, and I think that they, with the little we received and with the little we have, we have achieved a lot. This silver medal means a lot and I think we showed today, at least in the first set, that we can fight against these types of teams at this level; and this is important to us because our next competition is the Central American and Caribbean Games. I’m very excited to continue preparing for what’s to come.”

JUANA DÍAZ, Puerto Rico, June 11, 2023.- Trinidad and Tobago won the 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four bronze medal defeating US Virgin Islands in straight sets 3-0 (25-10,25-23, 25-20) on Sunday at Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum in Juana Díaz.

Trinidad and Tobago (1-2) closed the match with advantages in attacks 64-19, in blocks 8-5 and 9-0 in aces.

Opposite hitter Channon Thompson of Costa Rica topped all scorers with 17 points from 13 kills and three aces. Also contributing to the win, middle blocker, and team captain Jalicia Ross-Kydd with 11 points and Krystle Esdelle with nine points.

Opposite hitter Anne Gillens of US Virgin Islands with nine points on eight kills.

Jalicia Ross-Kydd, captain of Trinidad and Tobago: “We are feeling very excited and pleased to be here and play against USVI and win. We work together and we build from the first two matches against Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. We brought that momentum into this match because we have to play against them on top of the Caribbean in July and August. This is what we are stepping stones together. We are very excited and proud of ourselves”

Saleen Ali, coach of Trinidad and Tobago: “It’s great because as I said before, our program has now started two months ago. Our main objective in this cycle is the Caribbean Volleyball Championships and USVI is one of our main rivals. So, we’re here. It’s psychological and also good for us going into the championships”.

Isaac Raphael, coach of US Virgin Islands: “I really enjoyed ourselves with everything was very smooth. The final game there was a bigger team than us. We need to learn to execute but the experience was great for us here at this level. The more we play at this level, the better we will do. It was the first time for many of my players. I would like to win but we’re getting better, that’s what matters”.

JUANA DÍAZ, PUERTO RICO, June 10, 2023.- Costa Rican is undefeated at 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four by winning in straight sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-12) against the US Virgin Islands.

With this victory, Costa Rica will face Puerto Rico tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. for the only ticket available in this tournament for the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup (VCC), which offers the opportunity to qualify for the Volleyball Nations League, the FIVB’s most important annual international tournament with the participation of the best 16 teams of the world.

Costa Rica dominated the US Virgin Islands in attacks (44-22), as well in aces (3-2). The US Virgin Islands led (5-3) in blocks.

Tatiana Sayles Marín was the best scorer for Costa Rica with 16 points (14 kills, one block, one ace), María Fernanda Alfaro had 10 points, and Marcela Araya with eight. For the US Virgin Islands, I’tania Taylor with eight points, Anna Gillens with six, and Jala Dixon with five.

“It is important for our confidence. Our preparation has been good, but if we get here and we don’t take action, it’s useless. The girls have applied everything in a very disciplined and meticulous way. We are already prepared for the last exam, which is the most difficult”, said Pablo Acuña, coach of Costa Rica. “We know that Puerto Rico has historically been superior to us, but the girls are very excited to face them. We are going to continue studying Puerto Rico and find a way to decipher them and compete at a high level with them.”

Tatiana Sayles Marín, from Costa Rica, said that “we are very happy to have won today. We follow the directions of our technician. Our plan for this tournament was to come compete, and we are succeeding. For tomorrow’s game we are psyched up. Every match is different. The mentality is to come with everything, and we are going to prepare to give our best”.

The coach of the US Virgin Islands, Isaac Raphael, said that “They (Costa Rica) played very well. We do not attack aggressively. I think we will continue to improve and learn. Tomorrow, we go with Trinidad & Tobago, which is a great team with experience, and we hope to win”.

JUANA DÍAZ, PUERTO RICO, June 10, 2023. – Puerto Rico (2-0) and Costa Rica (2-0) will meet in the last match of the 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four at the Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum in Juana Díaz for the gold medal and the only ticket available for the Volleyball Challenger Cup (VCC).

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago (0-2) and the US Virgin Islands will meet for the bronze medal at 6:00 p.m.

Puerto Rico’s goal is to win the gold medal and the ticket to the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup (VCC).

They took a step towards that goal by beating Trinidad & Tobago in straight sets, 25-14, 27-25, 25-9 on Saturday at Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico had to work hard against Trinidad & Tobago, who, with their experienced players, were able to put up a fight and lead the set to extra points. The Puerto Ricans won the technical times, 8-5 and 16-11. Trinidad & Tobago came from behind to tie the set (22-22). Puerto Rico recovered and took the set, 27-25.

Dariana Hollingsworth, from Puerto Rico, was the best scorer of the match with 16 points (14 kills, one block and one ace), Karla Santos had nine points (seven kills), and Paola Santiago with eight. For Trinidad & Tobago, Channon Thompson with 13 points (11 kills, two blocks); Esdelle Krystle with six points (five kills) and Destiny León with five (two aces).

In the first game, Costa Rica winning in straight sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-12) against US Virgin Islands.

Costa Rica dominated the US Virgin Islands in attacks (44-22), as well in aces (3-2). US Virgin Islands led (5-3) in blocks.

Tatiana Sayles Marín was the best scorer for Costa Rica with 16 points (14 kills, one block, one ace), María Fernanda Alfaro had 10 points, and Marcela Araya with eight. For the US Virgin Islands, I’tania Taylor with eight points, Anna Gillens with six, and Jala Dixon with five.

JUANA DIAZ, Puerto Rico, June 9, 2023.- Puerto Rico defeated the US Virgin Islands team in the last match of the first day of the 2023 Women’s NORCECA International League Final Four at the Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum.

Puerto Rico dominated the match from start to finish with sets 25-13, 25-22 and 25-16.

Alba Hernández and Karla Santos with 10 points each for the locals, Dariana Hollingsworth with nine points, and Paola Santiago with seven. For US Virgin Islands, Anna Gillens with 11 points and I’tiana Taylor with eight points.

“It is always important to start with a win. The nerves of the young players were seen a bit, but it was a great game to get rid of those nerves. We go from less to more. Tomorrow, we go against Trinidad & Tobago, and then comes Costa Rica. It is a great victory, but a lot to study and improve for the next two games”, Fernando Morales, coach of Puerto Rico said.

“It was fun. Puerto Rico is a good team. We are going to improve. We are learning the game and understanding it a little more and I had a good time. It was, you know, nobody wants to lose, but if I’m going to lose, I lose well. Tomorrow, we have Costa Rica. That is a different game. I hope we come here and play well tomorrow. We hope to come out with a win,” said Isaac Raphael, coach of the US Virgin Islands.

JUANA DÍAZ, PUERTO RICO, June 9, 2023. – Tonight, Costa Rica claimed its first victory of the 2023 Women’s Norceca International League Final Four at the Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum by defeating Trinidad & Tobago.

The Ticas won 20-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-16.

Trinidad & Tobago surprised Costa Rica in the first set by dominating, 25-20. Costa Rica was able to adjust their game and take the victory.

Marcela Araya was the best scorer for Costa Rica with 18 points, Tatiana Sayles Marín and Mónica Castro Castro with 16 points each. For Trinidad & Tobago, Channon Thompson led all scorers with 20 points, 16 in kills, three in blocks and an ace. Krystle Esdelle with 16 points and Kelly-Anne Billingy with six points.

Pablo Acuña, coach of Costa Rica said: “It is very important to start with a victory. And more than a victory, what we focused on was how we played. We played very well on an offensive tactical level. We knew that our first offensive weapon would be the serve. The first set we did very well, we just lowered the intensity a bit in our attack. We improve it in the second. It is important for us to start off on the right foot and improve with each game”. Rica

“It is the first game for many players in several years. In the first set we started on high. Then we lower the pass. We are going to go game by game, day by day,” Trinidad & Tobago coach Saleen Ali said.

JUANA DIAZ, Puerto Rico, June 8, 2023. – Coaches of the teams at the 2023 Women Norceca International League Final Four are determined to win the only ticket available for the FIVB Volleyball Challenge Cup (VCC).

International League Final Four NORCECA Women 2023 will be played from June 9 to 11 at the Dolores “Toyita” Martínez Coliseum with the participation of Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The 2023 Women NORCECA International League Final Four is a qualification tournament to the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup (VCC) that offers the opportunity to qualify to the Volleyball Nations League the premier annual tournament of the FIVB with the participation of the top 16 teams in the world.

PABLO ACUÑA, coach of Costa Rica: “We have all the players who have been working since the beginning of the year. We’re very excited to compete. We have three good groups in front. We are prepared and we are ready to represent the country in the best way. Our expectations are to get a medal. We would like to have the best possible medal of the tournament and for that we’re working”.

FERNANDO MORALES, coach of Puerto Rico: “It is a young team that will be working all summer. They are players with a lot of energy and with the level to win this tournament, which are our expectations. We want to qualify for next year’s Challenge to get into the VNL”.

SALEEM ALI, coach of Trinidad & Tobago: “Basically we have a very young group together with some experienced players who have come back to participate in the volleyball championships. We are using this tournament as a preparation. We look forward to defeating the US Virgin Islands team and playing well against Costa Rica and Puerto Rico”.

ISAAC RAPHAEL, coach of U.S. Virgin Islands: “We are very happy to be here for the first time. Our team is a mix of young and veteran players. We are looking to have a great tournament. We are going to fight hard. We would love to win this tournament, like everyone else, but we are focused on developing our program and making our players better.”

JUANA DIAZ, Puerto Rico, June 7, 2023. – Juana Diaz in Puerto Rico welcomes the Women’s NORCECA Final Four International League from June 9-11 at the Dolores “Toyita” Matinez Coliseum with the participation of Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands and hots Puerto Rico.

The NORCECA Final Four event is a qualification tournament to the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup (VCC) that offers the opportunity to qualify to the Volleyball Nations League the premier annual tournament of  the FIVB with the participation of the top 16 teams in the world.

Teams arrive in Juana Diaz on June 7 and the round-robin competition starts on June 9, with the top ranked team at the end of the competition earning the ticket to the FIVB Challenger.

Mexico won the past edition of the NORCECA Final Four after beating Puerto Rico, Cuba and Costa Rica.

Competition Schedule

June 9

18:00 Costa Rica v Trinidad & Tobago

20:00 Puerto Rico v U.S. Virgin Islands

June 10

18:00 U.S. Virgin Islands v Costa Rica

20:00 Puerto Rico v Trinidad & Tobago

June 11

18:00 Trinidad & Tobago v U.S. Virgin Islands

20:00 Puerto Rico v Costa Rica