PR pounds Trinidad and Tobago at NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship

Ivania Ortiz (3) of Puerto Rico spikes against Trinidad & Tobago during their match at the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship in Santo Domingo on Tuesday. Puerto Rico won in straight sets.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico dominated Trinidad and Tobago from start to finish on Tuesday, winning 3-0 (25-7, 25-5 and 25-5) to advance to the fifth-place match of the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship at the Prof. Ricardo Gioriver Arias Volleyball Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The win left Puerto Rico just one step away from securing a spot in the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship.

“It was an important match if we want to keep our World Championship qualification hopes alive, and we needed to come out of it as healthy as possible,” Puerto Rico coach Juan Carlos Núñez said.

The statistics reflected Puerto Rico’s superiority in every fundamental aspect of the game: attacks, 39-4; blocks, 7-1; service aces, 13-1; and unforced errors: Puerto Rico 11-Trinidad and Tobago 16.

Puerto Rico’s offense was led by Ivania Ortiz’s 15 points (nine attacks, one block and five aces). Leandra Mangual scored 14 points, while Neira Zortiz added 12.

Sadie Torkar was the top scorer for Trinidad and Tobago with two points.

On Wednesday, Puerto Rico was to face Mexico in a decisive showdown for a direct ticket to the World Championship and qualification for the NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament for Los Angeles 2028.