Costa Rica sweeps El Salvador at AFECAVOL U-18

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, August 19, 2017. - Costa Rica swept El Salvador in straight sets (25-9, 25-10, 25-19) during the morning session of the last day of competition of the XII AFECAVOL Girls’ U-18 Central American Championship.

Costa Rica had resistance from combative El Salvador in the third set but finally they pocketed their fourth consecutive victory. The defending champions keep their unbeaten record and in route to battle for their sixth consecutive Central American title, eighth overall.

Costa Rica finished with huge advantage in aces by 12-2, as well as in spikes 32-15; in blocks they held a 5-2 margin. Costa Rica committed 19 errors while El Salvador had 26.

Outside hitter Mary Alfaro led Costa Rica with 16 points, including 9 kills and 6 aces; opposite Ana Rojas added 10 points. Middle blocker Daniela Sanchez and outside hitter Dulce Huete tallied 6 points apiece for El Salvador.

Costa Rica with 4-0 record and 18 points will seal the event against Honduras (3-0, 15 points) who first will face Guatemala. El Salvador (0-4) finishes against Belize (0-4).

Pamela Padilla, captain of Costa Rica: “Our attitude in the third set was not ideal; fortunately we were able to organize again and finish on top. We will finish against Honduras, facing the home team won’t be easy and we are mentally prepared to have everything against us”.

Mario Romero, coach of Costa Rica: “El Salvador pressured stronger in serves during the third set and that really made a difference; they knew how to use their attributes more effectively. Costa Rica recovered applying better tactics in closing points. We must win all our matches and not depend on anybody’s results”.

Daniela Sanchez, captain of El Salvador: “We concentrated very well in the third set, it made a difference; we should perform like this, supporting one another. We need to exploit our strong spikes and effective blocking more often”.

Eric Hernandez, coach of El Salvador: “My starting players took control in set three, they played cold minded and my bench players performed great when needed; there was more commitment as a team; we were able to shake Costa Rica”.