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GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 20, 2015.- Nicaragua beat
Costa Rica in dramatic five sets 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-23,
20-25, 15-13) on day five at the AFECAVOL Men’s U-19 Central
American Championship.
Nicaragua stands with 4-0 record and 18 points continue
unstoppable. This was Costa Rica’s second five setter, they have
a 3-1 record and 13 points. On Wednesday Nicaragua faces
Guatemala while Costa Rica meets Honduras.
Nicaragua won the first set with a comfortable margin focusing
on every skill; they performed with energy and powerful kills as
well as blocking Costa Rica’s intentions on scoring, they played
to win, while Costa Rica played to catch. In set two Costa Rica
took advantage of Nicaragua’s errors becoming more effective in
spikes keeping the score always close, winning the set after
losing three set points 25-22. Nicaragua and Costa Rica engaged
in a tough battle in set three, the score was tied on numerous
occasions while both performed solidly; set three went to
Nicaragua. Costa Rica jumped to an early five point lead with
confidence; the margin grew wider and Nicaragua recovered from a
seven point deficit (17-20) coming out short. Finally the match
went to a tie break where Nicaragua came from a four point
deficit (9-13) to finish.
Nicaragua powered up against Costa Rica with impressive 69-41
margin in kills and 7-4 in serves. Costa Rica prevailed in
blocking 11-7. Nicaragua scored on Costa Rica’s 49 errors while
limiting theirs to 24.
Outside hitter Bayron Hernandez of Nicaragua scored impressive
33 points for a new Central American record, joined by Jonny
Zeledon with also impressive 30 points. Outside hitters Jose
Ortiz and William Baltodano topped Costa Rica with 14 points
apiece, opposite Mariano Salas contributed with 11 points.
“We took advantage that Costa Rica was overconfident in the
first set, we were concentrated and we were well prepared to
face Costa Rica who was a tough opponent to beat” said Jonny
Zeledon captain of Nicaragua.
Osman Hernandez coach of Nicaragua said “our serves worked well
and the team’s performance in the first set was solid, in the
second they lost concentration and didn’t followed instructions,
there were ups and downs but with team effort we finished with a
positive result”.
Luis Cordero captain of Costa Rica said “we were very close to
win and I feel disappointed; once again we were too relaxed.
Nicaragua blocked us well, not letting us attack”.
Assistant coach Arturo Solano of Costa Rica indicated “in this
age-group it’s common to lose focus; Nicaragua’s courage in the
fifth set was amazing. We weren’t stable in our attacks,
especially our outside hitters”. |
