Guatemala prevails over El Salvador in four sets

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, December 10, 2017. – Guatemala prevailed over El Salvador in four sets 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-10, 25-16) in the starting of the women’s Volleyball opening match at the eleventh Central American Games Managua 2017 at Alexis Argüello sports complex.

El Salvador jumped to an early four point advantage while neutralizing Guatemala’s spikers completely. Guatemala slowly moved forward but still losing the first set by a close score. El Salvador’s performance came down hill when their setter Madeline Gonzales suffered a minor ankle injury in the first points of set three, while Guatemala managed to take charge of the actions.

Guatemala finished with wide advantage in every skill, 41-18 in kills, 10-5 in blocks and 11-9 in aces. Guatemala committed 37 errors and El Salvador 36.

Rut Gomez of Guatemala led all scorers with 22 points on 19 kills and 3 blocks, joined by Blanca Recinos with 15 points on 8 kills, 3 blocks and 4 aces. Adriana Flores led El Salvador with 8 points.

Guatemala rests on day two of competition while El Salvador (0-1) plays to Panama (0-1).

Captain of Guatemala Blanca Recinos: “There are no excuses for our poor performance in set one; we were too pressured, we didn’t respond mentally or physically. We were able to show our good condition and the well prepared we are to finish on top”.

Head coach of Guatemala William Fernandez: “Guatemala needs more preparation matches to overcome the fear of a first match; after the world qualifier we only practiced and we had no friendly matches. My team was focused on their opponent and not in their own performance. In every time-out we spoke to our players to concentrate on their side of the court and that they needed to take control”.

Captain of El Salvador Adriana Flores: “In set one we were organized, everyone knew what to do. Actions were very similar on both sides up to the point our teammate got injures, from there on we lost focus, we lost control and disconnected of the match completely. In comparison to other tournaments, our level is now similar to that of Guatemala’s”.

Head coach of El Salvador Ingrid Rivas: “We were really motivated to start the tournament and to face an opponent that we know well; we are familiar with the players and that’s why we read their moves pretty well in the first set. As things went heating up, my starting setter got injured and my team was shaken, we must evaluate if she can continue the tournament”.