Costa Rica secures Central American title

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, December 6, 2012 - Costa Rica overcame some initial problems, but eventually won in straight sets (25-22, 25-13, 25-7) over El Salvador and secured the first place in the XVII Senior Women’s Central American Cup with one more game to play.

With a total 20 points in four games without dropping a set, the Costa Rican guaranteed the title, the same they have achieved consecutively in the last 10 editions. They will complete their schedule playing Honduras on Friday.

A high spirited Salvadoran team battled against the Central American monarchs in the first set, but the Costa Rican experience made the difference with 21 points from Captain Willis Verania and 13 from Karen Cope. For the local side, Diana Romero contributed eight points.

"It is better to come from behind and end up winning than losing after a good start," said the captain of Costa Rica, Verania Willis. "We have to improve in many ways and we leave this tournament with a lot to learn."

Willis has appeared in over 10 titles of Costa Rica in Central American Cup.

"I think I have been with the team since 1999 or 2000 and I enjoyed every single tournament. They leave different experiences. Each one of these events is special. We always get something new."

Panama beat Nicaragua 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-15), while Honduras defeated Guatemala 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-23) and both countries remain with hopes of finishing among the top three of the tournament.

Valeska Hernandez topped Nicaragua with 11 points and the Traña sisters, Mercedes and Heidy, each had nine points. For Panama, the captain Hashlyn Cuero charted seven points.

Guatemala, meanwhile, met expectations by winning against Honduras. Rut Gomez with 16 points was the best of Guatemala that reached 12 points in the standings like Nicaragua to share the second place behind Costa Rica.

Nicaragua with 12 points will face El Salvador, who has 10, at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Guatemala (12 points) will face Panama (6 points) at 3:00 p.m. Costa Rica and Honduras will play at 5:00 p.m.