Costa Rica beats Belize in straight sets at AFECAVOL U21
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, October 2,
2019.- Costa
Rica beat Belize in straight sets (25-23, 25-18, 25-19) in
their first win at the AFECAVOL U21 Central American
Championship at FESAVOL Gymnasium of San Salvador, El
Salvador.
Costa Rica recovered from a four-point deficit in set three
(8-12) to go on winning in three sets and earning five
points in their first tournament win to even their record
1-1; Belize has 0-3 record.
Belize allowed a total of 36 points on unforced errors while
Costa Rica committed 19. Costa Rica’s 11-5 blocking margin
neutralized Belize’s 32-24 advantage in kills. Both teams
scored 4 service points.
Costa Rica’s top scorers were outside hitter Fabian Torres
with 9 points all on kills, along with middle blocker Juan
Diego Arrieta with 7 points on 5 kills and 2 blocks, and
middle blocker Reyman Alfaro finished with 6 points.
Belizean offence was led by outside hitter Ernest Broaster
scored a match-high of 18 points including 15 kills and 2
aces and outside hitter Xander Bennett contributed with 9
points.
On day three of the event, Costa Rica (1-1) will face
Guatemala (1-1) and Belize (0-3) plays against Panama (0-1).
Fabián Torres, top scorer of Costa Rica: “We improved in
receiving and defense compared from yesterday, we were
focused in not failing in this. We were distracted in the
third set, out of rhythm but we asked for time-out to calm
ourselves. Our team unity is our most important skill, we
get along well and we supported each other to get the
victory”.
Sergio Araya, Head coach of Costa Rica: “We took advantage
of Belize’s errors in serves and that made our job easier.
This wasn’t the guys best match in this process, what’s
important is to have won in three sets to put us in the
fight”.
Ryan Arnold, Captain of Belize: “Because we were at our
lowest from yesterday’s performance, we came out stronger
and harder today. We are lacking consistency and
prosecution; we had them down five points and we let them
come back. We need to work hard and finish the game”.