El Salvador earns first win defeating Panama

BELIZE CITY, Belize, September 25, 2016.- El Salvador earned their first win at the AFECAVOL Men’s FIVB World Championship qualification tournament, defeating Panama 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 15-20) on Sunday at St. Catherine Academy Center in Belize City.

El Salvador started off with a lot of energy taking Panama off guard engaging in numerous consecutive errors. Panama went on improving as the match developed but came off short. El Salvador controlled the attacking category with 37-28 margin, they were similar in blocking 9-8 and both scored 3 points on serves. El Salvador benefited from 26 opponent errors and committed 15.

With 14 points, opposite player Franklin Flores topped El Salvador’s scorers, while outside hitters Rodrigo Chavez and Francisco Hernandez chipped in with 9 points apiece. Panama’s leading scorers were outside hitter Domingo Avila and middle blocker Otto Othon with 11 and 10 points respectively.

On Monday, El Salvador (1-1) meets Nicaragua (0-1) and Panama (0-2) faces Guatemala.

Rodrigo Chavez, captain of El Salvador: “We learned a lot from yesterday’s match against Belize, they have taller players, a structured team and compact defense. Our blocking needs to be better; according to our opponent’s height and that way we’ll good timing to be more effective. I see my team winning a medal, we have good attitude, and we are motivated after losing yesterday”.

Nery Henriquez, coach of El Salvador: “Today’s strategy was to be more tactic and the players executed the game plan well. The difference between yesterday and today, Belize is stronger and had the crowd cheering for them. For each match there must be changes, I believe we are more confident and it will be less demanding tomorrow. A combination of results, for example if Belize losses a match, there are many possibilities for us moving forward”.

Domingo Ávila, captain of Panamá: “Our reception is failing, El Salvador worked with our blocking and things went bad for us, there’s a lot to work on. My team is young, with a lot of potential, I’m confident we can do it better; the court is slippery and it makes it difficult to move”.

Horacio Angulo, coach of Panamá: “El Salvador used the same strategy than Dominican Republic, long attacks, diagonally and my guys weren’t able to adjust their blocking, my outside hitters failed. We need to adjust our receiving and our defense system for the next match and we must take advantage in counterattacking”.