Honduras with 2-0 record at AFECAVOL U23

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, September 17, 2018.- Honduras defeated Belize 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20) improving their win-loss record 2-0 at the Men’s U23 AFECAVOL Central American Championship being held at Teodoro Palacios Flores of Guatemala City.

Honduras worked hard to score against Belize, especially in sets two and three that Belize led with a margin of 2 and 3 points. In set two, Belize held a considerable 12-9 advantage that Honduras recovered up to an even 17 points to keep on top. Belize pushed harder in set three, keeping up longer rallies to extend the actions to a fourth set.

Honduras outblocked Belize with impressive 15-7 margin, while Belize held advantage in the other two categories with 47-40 margin in kills and 2-1 in aces. Honduras scored on 40 opponent errors, allowing 31 points on theirs.

Honduras used a balanced offense with outside hitter Arturo Duran scoring 13 points, middle blocker Irvin Reyes with 10 points, while setter Alejandro Avila and opposite player Juan Menjivar added 9 points apiece. Outside hitter Francis Hauze of Belize scored a match-high of 18 points on 16 kills and 2 blocks, followed by outside hitter Daryl Avila with 15 points on 13 kills and also with 2 blocks and by middle blocker Lirisi Cayetano with 10 points.

On day three of competition, Honduras (2-0) will face Panama (1-0) and Belize (0-2) has the day off.

Alejandro Avila, captain of Honduras said it wasn’t an easy task to beat Belize “they play very high, they attack with strength and we knew we had to be fast to counterattack, it worked well in the first two sets but Belize improved and committed fewer errors in the third set. We worked on serving better but especially con blocking to finish on top”.

Cuban Juan Andres Leon head coach of Honduras said the game level in Central America has improved a lot “you didn’t see these good fights before. Belize jumps high and when their setter puts the ball well, the result is always positive. Their kills really hurt us, so we needed to work harder in blocking, this was our best skill. I am very satisfied with my setter; he blocks, attacks and defends”.

Captain Francis Hauze of Belize said to be satisfied with their performance “it was very good fight, Honduras needed to work hard. We wanted to pressure the entire game, but we need to start off quicker and get into the game. Honduras was tactical and we didn’t adjust quickly enough”.

Cuban Esmudio Limonta, head coach of Belize expressed “the team was a bit more concentrated than yesterday; but Honduras is very competitive, unfortunately we lost but someone will fall against us soon. Comparing yesterday’s performance from todays, our spikes, blocks and defense improved, serves were the same”.