Belize wins in five over Nicaragua

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, August 9, 2016.- Belize defeated Nicaragua in five sets 3-2 (25-20, 14-25, 17-25, 25-20, 15-9) on day four of the AFECAVOL Women’s U23 Central American Championship at Gimnasio 7 de Diciembre Alfonso Gordillo in Guatemala City.

This was Belize third match in five sets, they previously lost to Honduras and Costa Rica in demanding matches; this was their first win.

Belize started off with powerful spiking while outplaying Nicaragua with better height, managing a comfortable five point lead to pocket set one. Nicaragua restructured well, especially while blocking on numerous occasions, to storm thru sets two and three with huge advantage; Belize lost focus and their spirited playing mood. Belize hitters woke up from their lethargy in set four and five, stopping Nicaragua’s momentum and taking command like in the early stage of the match.

In stats, Belize held advantage only in spikes 46-43, while Nicaragua did better in blocking 12-11 and in serves 7-5. Belize allowed 37 points thru errors and benefited from 34.  

Belize balanced their points among Jahshema Saunders with 18 points, joined by Maurissa Williams and Sherika Burton with 12 points each. Nicaragua’s Ericka Calero led with 22 points, Dalia Conto and Pamela Cubillo chipped in with 11 points apiece, and Andrea Pereira registered 10.

On Wednesday Nicaragua (1-2) will play against Costa Rica (3-0) and Belize (1-3) will rest.

Captain Sherika Burton of Belize, who didn’t play the entire the match, said “we wanted to win, we didn’t come here to win and prove that we could put in practice what our coaches have taught us”.

“Attitude” was the reason of their loss indicated captain Ericka Calero of Nicaragua; “Belize benefited from our consecutive errors and we lacked motivation to recover”.

Coach Jack Reyes indicated that Nicaragua’s blocking was difficult to control “our opponents did put up a fight; their blockers were on a role.  As for us, we started without our captain because she hasn’t been feeling well and the first set went good, but in sets two and three our defense wasn’t effective and we had to bring her in, it payed off”.

Nicaragua’s coach Claudia Noguera said “our blocking worked well in the middle of the match, in the fourth and fifth it wasn’t as keen, I consider this was the reason of today’s loss. Having a fierce attitude is crucial, we need to show that more and at this age, it’s important to work in the psychological part of the game. Belize did a great job and they played really well”.