Belize secures its first U18 medal

 

CIUDAD QUESADA, Costa Rica, November 22, 2019 - Belize won 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-15) over Guatemala, on the fourth day of the 13th U18 Central American Women's Volleyball Championship.

 

The Belize team recovered from a three-point deficit in the first set (20-23) to win it 26-24 and from there on dominated the game to get their third win with a loss, securing a place among the top three in the tournament .

 

Gareth Bruce with 18 points and Khaya Gordon with 16, guided Belize. Bruce got 14 on attack and three on serves, while Gordon managed 4 on blocks and three on serves. For Guatemala, María Santa Cruz was left with 8.

 

Belize dominated in attacks 39-19, blocking 6-3 and service 7-5, with 26 unforced errors to 24 of its opponents.

Gareth Bruce, captain of Belize: ”I think we are playing a high level, after yesterday's game against Costa Rica, we were not well, we lacked something, we started fighting at the beginning, but we fell down, we did not know what happened because we were to play better, we made many mistakes.”

 

Ingrid Almaraz, captain of Guatemala: ”We are a new team, most of us don't know each other and we can't get together. It is difficult for us to get more into the game and when we are ahead we do not know how to close”.

 

José Fontes, coach of Belize: “Almost always in the first sets we have problems, we get entangled with the strategy we intend to follow, we make many unforced errors, the opposing team presses us with the service and we fail to receive. Today I am happier with the group, it came out with a real disposition to the field, we have to continue playing with joy”.

 

Guatemala will play its last game against Costa Rica at 7:30 p.m., while Belize goes to El Salvador at 3:00 p.m.