Nicaragua continues winning streak at AFECAVOL U21

 

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, October 3, 2019.- Defending champion Nicaragua swept Honduras 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-22) to continue winning streak at the AFECAVOL U21 Men’s Central American Championship at the FESAVOL Gymnasium of San Salvador, El Salvador.

 

Nicaragua had a slow beginning and finish to beat Honduras, struggling with miscommunications but still remains the only unbeaten team of the event after four days of competition. Nicaragua has 3-0 record and 13 ranking points; Honduras is 1-3 and has five points.

 

Nicaragua committed fewer errors (19-22) while leading with 38-30 margin in attacks, 11-9 in blocks and 4-1 in aces.

 

Nicaraguan middle blocker Gerald Gomez scored a match-high of 18 points on 13 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces; outside hitter Jackley Oporta y middle blocker Jefferson Cascante tallied 9 points each. Outside hitter Kevin Herrera of Honduras scored 16 points.

 

On Friday Nicaragua (3-0) will face Panama (2-1) and Honduras (1-3) goes against Costa Rica (1-1).

 

Gerald Gómez, best scorer of Nicaragua: “We are coming from two tough matches and today we had the same intensity to keep our unbeaten record. We are well organized, we prepared a lot for this tournament and as a team we are united and we know what to do”.

 

Kevin Herrera, best scorer of Honduras: “We are lacking courage, give more and I believe we are depending on one player, we think only one player can solve. The team’s energy fell, but we will try to have a better result tomorrow”.

 

Jorge Mena, Head Coach of Nicaragua: “The first set had complications because the guys were too relaxed, we gave the opportunity to bench players and we were able to get back on track; I think the rest and the weather has an effect on us, but we can’t be relaxed. We have gone winning one match at a time after practicing for more than one year and a half, we are aiming for the gold medal”.