|
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”. |
