NORCECA Press Release – MORELIA, Mexico, September 29, 2015 – Canada dominated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-10) on day three of the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship at the Bicentenario Auditorium in Morelia, Michoacan.

Canada concludes the preliminary round with a 2-1 record and advances to the quarterfinals of the competition; Costa Rica, with 0-3 record, will move to the classification round.

Canada outnumbered Costa Rica in every category, spikes (29-16), blocks (9-2) and aces 6-1 as well as scoring on 31 errors.

Dana Cranston topped Canada’s scorers with eight points, followed by Jaimie Thibeault, Marisa Field and Rebecca Pavan with five points apiece. Costa Rica’s opposite Mijal Hines led her team with six points and Evelyn Sibaja contributed five.

“We were disciplined,” said team captain Brittney Page, “we focused on our game and power to hold off Costa Rica’s good defense and not let them play.”

Canada’s coach Arnd Ludwig explained: “Our service worked well, and we were concentrated and focused on controlling their two best servers, making it easier for us. The second line-up did very well and we really have a shot to finish in the final four.”

Coach Braulio Godinez of Costa Rica said “we expected Canada’s good performance, they are No.5 in NORCECA ranking and they proved their intentions of qualifying to the Olympics. Costa Rica’s performance in the previous matches was demanding and I believe my players are tired, we don’t have much international activity like Canada”.

The top four teams in the final ranking of this tournament will advance to NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament that grants a direct ticket to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The event continues to Oct. 03.

Group A preliminary matches:

Sept. 27: 17:00 – Canada vs Cuba 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-12)
Sept. 28: 18:00 – Canada vs United States 0-3 (15-25, 17-25, 19-25)
Sept. 29: 14:00 – Canada vs Costa Rica 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-10)

Costa Rica had previously lost to Cuba by a margin of 0 – 3, despite having lead early during the game with a few aces.