Nicaragua wins five-setter over El Salvador

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, December 11, 2014.- Nicaragua won over El Salvador 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 28-26, 20-25, 15-8) in the closing day of the XVIII Men’s Central American Cup at Jorge Galeano Gymnasium.

It wasn’t an easy win for Nicaragua who was challenged by El Salvador extending the match trying to finish the tournament with a victory. Nicaragua concluded with 3-3 record and twelve points; El Salvador was winless and three points.

El Salvador’s efforts were extraordinary, with a huge advantage in blocking 16-4 and slight margin in serves 4-2. Nicaragua held the advantage in spikes 62-55 and committed less unforced errors (32) than El Salvador (42).

Nicaragua’s outside hitter Tito Valdivia led with 22 points and opposite player Jonathan Tuckler contributed with 20 points. Opposite player Daniel Sabzehzar led El Salvador with 23 points, outside hitter Franklin Flores added 16, captain Francisco Hernandez contributed with 15 points and middle blocker Cesar Calderon 10 points.

Nicaragua’s captain Jorge Toledo said: “We’re satisfied. I believe we could have done better; but compared to the results of the past edition, where I think we finished last, now we climbed several positions”.

“The tournament was bitter sweet, but we have players who gave good results and we’re suffering from the transition of a new generation of players. We didn’t perform badly and for future events we’ll put up a good fight; we’re taking good experiences, we brought a 16 year old player and for us it’s a win,” said El Salvador’s captain Francisco Hernandez.