Costa Rica with important straight set win over Belize
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, September 21, 2018.- Costa Rica with
important straight set win 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-21) over
Belize on day six of the Men’s U23 AFECAVOL Central American
Championship in Teodoro Palacios Flores Gymnasium in Guatemala
City.
Costa Rica earned five important points for a total of 17
ranking points and improving to 3-2 win-loss record, keeping
them in the run for the bronze medal and waiting for the
Panama’s result against Nicaragua later in the day.
Belize always took charge at the beginning of all three sets but
couldn’t keep a consistent performance. Costa Rica recovered
from a five point deficit (11-16) in set two moving into set
three with more confidence.
Costa Rica led 37-31 in attacks and 2-0 in aces. Both teams
scored on 6 blocks. Costa Rica committed fewer errors (25-30)
than Belize.
Costa Rican outside hitter Elder Quiros scored 13 points, on 11
kills, one block and one ace, followed by middle blocker Jason
Brown with 10 points, and outside hitters Mariano Salas and
Oscar Ramirez added 8 point apiece. Outside hitter Daryl Avila
led Belize with 13 points including 11 kills.
On the last day of competition, Costa Rica (3-2) faces Guatemala
(4-0) and Belize (0-4) meets El Salvador (1-4).
Mariano Salas of Costa Rica said that minor errors put them in
difficulties in the second set “without underestimating Belize,
our deficit in the second set was our tactical disobedience; our
intensity was lower. We really committed ourselves in winning in
three sets. Our goal was to win the gold, we should have been
more responsible and it’s important to finish with a medal”.
Juan Acuña coach of Costa Rica said “I was worried that my
players weren’t concentrating enough and their performance
lacked energy or desire, Belize could have turned around the
result. At the moment we recovered in set two, we moved forward.
I believe nobody can take away from us third place, we aren’t
satisfied, the team was prepared to win first place. It will be
a challenge to face Guatemala”.
Middle blocker Lirisi Cayetano of Belize expressed “Belize is a
very dominant blocking team, that’s how we score the most and we
defend also by blocking, and today we were out of system. We
began to fall apart because of our lack of communication, then
we failed attempts while hitting”.
Cuban Esmudio Limonta head coach of Belize, indicated that his
team continues committing unforced errors “this has been
consistent in all our games, which is normal because of the
short time we had to prepare; we can’t expect more”. |