By Charmaine Austin, Staff Reporter 
Jamaica's Sheryl Daley (#12) and Dionne Coley (#11) jump to block an attack by airborne Costa Rican Paula Solana. Also pictured are Pamela Alfaro (#10) and Alejandra Delgado (#9) of Costa Rica. Jamaica won 2-1 (23-25, 25-21, 15-11). -
JAMAICA proved too hot for Costa Rica in more ways than one during a friendly international volleyball game at the GC Foster College Gymnasium yesterday.
The humidity that the visitors complained about didn't seem to bother the hosts who rallied from a first set loss to win the thrilling best of three encounter 2-1 (23-25, 25-21, 15-11).
"We lost because we were very tired. It is so hot here. Jamaica has a lot of potential and they played very well," Costa Rican player/coach Rosibel Orozco said.
Jamaica who finished second at the World Championships qualifier in Aruba last year, found it difficult to keep up with the swift Costa Ricans early in the game and trailed 10-7 before settling down to take over the lead at 16-15.
Costa Rica covered the court well and through good defensive play managed to leave the Jamaicans two points behind at the end of the first set.
Spiker Sophia Douglas, who went on as a substitute in the second set, hit some good shots from the left side to give the locals a good start when action resumed.
The Jamaicans trailed 6-5 but soon caused their un-acclimatised guests to sweat when they romped to a 12-9 lead. The cat and mouse game continued but setter Annie Williams provided all the Jamaicans needed to reach the 25 mark first.
"It was difficult for us to continue the rest of the game. We were very tired by the third set," Orozco said.
Despite the difficulty the Costa Ricans remained competitive. They led 4-1 at the start but lost steam a few minutes later as Jamaica took the lead and sent them slipping and sliding all over the court.
At 14-11 all the Jamaicans needed was a point. The Costa Ricans - water.
Said Jamaica's coach Leighton Cummings: "The team hasn't trained together since last year and did well in spite of that.
"We didn't have any great expectations. The plan was to do our best. This game highlighted a lot of our weaknesses and although we played well, we still have a lot to do."
