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Costa Rica beats Guatemala and will play for fifth place

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, August 13, 2021. – Costa Rica won the Central American clash to Guatemala 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-17) and will play for fifth place at the Women’s U23 Pan American Cup being held at the Olympic Gymnasium of Aguascalientes.

After yesterday’s impressive display from Costa Rica against Puerto Rico, today’s performance lacked their usual explosion. Costa Rica finishes third place in pool B with 1-2 record to play for fifth place on Sunday; Guatemala with 0-3 record plays for placement against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. We could a Central American clash again if Guatemala defeats Trinidad and Tobago.

Costa Rica held a comfortable margin in attacks 28-17 and led in blocks 3-1, while both teams scored one ace. Costa Rica scored on 21 opponent errors and allowed 16.

Outside hitter María Sofía Arroyo scored 8 points as Costa Rica’s best scorer, followed by middle blocker Lakysha Thompson and opposite Ana Victoria Rojas with 7 points apiece; middle blocker Mariana Rodríguez added 6 points. On Guatemala’s side, middle blocker Ivana Sopegno led with 7 points, outside hitter Jimena Castellanos contributed with 6 points and middle blocker Mariangel Padilla chipped in with 5 points.

Mariana Rodríguez Captain of Costa Rica: “We tried to play our game and not fall into our opponent’s deficiencies, I believe we could have finished with better scores, but yesterday’s match was really demanding and most of us are worn-out. In the end we’re glad because we must be dominant in our zone, Central America”.

Carlos Quesada Coach of Costa Rica: “We know that winning is important, but the truth is that I prefer yesterday’s loss to Puerto Rico than today’s win. We are not mentally well and it reflected in our passive performance today, the girls are too young and they need to learn, to grow and that our performance must be always the same”.