Nicaragua fifth place defeating Costa Rica at NORCECA U19

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, June 10, 2018. - Nicaragua defeated Costa Rica 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-9) for fifth place at the NORCECA U19 Boys’ Continental Championship on Sunday at Gimnasio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica.

Nicaragua came from behind to prevail over host Costa Rica with spectacular energy. Nicaragua specially took charge over Costa Rica in set four with huge 16-3 advantage and the rest was history. Nicaragua (2-2) finishes fifth and Costa Rica (1-3).

Nicaragua held 42-30 advantage in kills and 13-9 in blocks; both teams scored five aces and Nicaragua scored on 34 opponent errors while committing 28.

Wing spiker Josué Cano led Nicaragua with 15 points on 12 kills and 3 blocks, opposite Axel Zamora scored 13 points including 11 kills and once ace, setter Ronny Cerda added 9 points and wing spiker Steven Lozano 8 points. On Costa Rica’s side, wing spiker Deykel Smith topped with 12 points and middle blocker Yeyco Jimenez scored 10 points.

Wing spiker Josué Cano of Nicaragua: “we were disciplined in following our coaches’ instructions, we were focused on limiting our errors and our defense worked well, added to the fact that our blocking stopped Costa Rica’s wing spikers. We didn’t lose concentration in the last set and that’s why so big of a margin”.

Coach Jorge Mena of Nicaragua: “we were prepared to beat Costa Rica. I am glad for winning the rematch but not with the overall result of the tournament; I was hoping to beat Costa Rica in pool-play and I am sure we would have been playing for the bronze medal”.