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Guatemala tops the battle against Costa Rica at AFECAVOL U-21

 

   

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, September 1, 2015.- Guatemala defeated Costa Rica 3-1 (21-25, 25-15, 25-15, 30-28) in a thrilling battle at the Men’s U-21 Central American Championship.

 

Guatemala remains unbeaten with 4-0 record, 18 points and in first place; Costa Rica drops their record 3-1 and has 13 points.

 

It was an intense battle from the beginning, with fast plays where Guatemala seemed unstoppable and an early five point lead. Costa Rica improved in blocking and waited for Guatemala’s errors that came fast and tied the actions 17-17; from there on Costa Rica controlled the set 25-21.

 

In the second set, Guatemala held advantage again and was always in the lead; after the second technical time-out Guatemala held a 7 point advantage with strong kills and stopped Costa Rica’s offensive line with effective blocking and winning 25-15. Guatemala remained fast and power in the third set, Costa Rica had defense errors making it easier for Guatemala to keep on top 13-5. Guatemala won again 25-15. Costa Rica took more risks in serving in the fourth set and held a 5-3 advantage; but Guatemala´s kills managed to work again and kept the score tight, no team was controlling the actions; Costa Rica’s blocking was working well. Guatemala missed five set points before winning 30-28.

 

Outside Hitter Carlos Lopez of Guatemala topped all scorers with 22 points; joined by Outside Hitter Wagner Chacon with 18 points and Opposite Erik Flores with 16. Setter Luis Padilla led Costa Rica with 17 points; Jason Brown, Kevin Hidalgo and Oscar Ramirez added 9 points each.

 

Guatemala neutralized Costa Rica with better spiking (54-46) and blocking (12-9); they were equally effective in aces (2-2), and in errors they were similar, Guatemala with 27 and Costa Rica with 33.

 

Captain Erik Flores of Guatemala said “we weren’t able to study Costa Rica because they never used the same line-up in previous matches and we lacked concentration. We worked hard, united and with our hearts to finish on top”.

 

Captain Walter Serrano of Costa Rica said “Guatemala plays fast and strong, it wasn’t an easy match. Our blocking was effective only in the first and fourth sets, that’s why it was easier for them to win the second and third”.

 

Coach Reider Lucas of Guatemala indicated “Costa Rica is well prepared in tactics and techniques; they also have height and good physical condition, that is why we had to use all our resources to win. It was a tense battle from start to finish and we are lucky to have won”.

 

Coach Cesar Salas of Costa Rica expressed “we are all sad, this was the match we prepared for and worked so hard; to win you most solve before and during the game. I was able to use Marco and Oscar, but leaving aside if they performed well or not, the game was determined over the net. We failed in our receiving in the second and third sets, and the team had lots of energy and effective blocking in the first and fourth sets”.