Costa Rica extends winning streak to six in a row

CIUDAD COLON, Costa Rica, December 18, 2016 – Costa Rica’s Karen Cope and Natalia Alfaro defeated sisters Maria Jose and Maria Andrea Orellana of Guatemala 2-1 (21-11, 21-5) to retain the women’s crown at the XVI Central American Beach Volleyball Championship.

It was the sixth consecutive women’s title for Costa Rica, three by the pair of Alfaro and Cope and three by Alfaro with current coach Ingrid Morales, who with tears of joy hugged her pupils. For Alfaro it was her eighth overall crown since 2005.

Guatemalan Maria Jose Orellana has won three titles, the last one in 2010 when she had Ana Lourdes Ramirez as her partner.

En route to the final match, Cope and Alfaro won 2-0 (21-14, 21-12) over compatriots Marcela Araya and Valeria Valenciano after scoring a 2-0 (21-12, 21-17) over El Salvador’s Maria Fernanda Vargas and Kathya Vasquez.

Meanwhile, the Orellanas defeated compatriots Natalia Giron and Estefanie Bethancourt 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) in semifinals. In the quarterfinals, Maria Jose and Maria Andrea won 2-0 (22-20, 21-10) over Lolette Rodriguez and Swan Mendoza of Nicaragua.

In the match for third place, Araya and Valenciano defeated Giron and Bethancourt 2-0 (21-18, 23-21) to give Costa Rica another spot on the podium.

Women’s Results on Sunday

Quarterfinals: CRC 1 d ESA 1 2-0 (21-12, 21-17), CRC 2 d HON 1 2-0 (21-15, 21-8), GUA 1 d NCA 1 2-0 (22-20, 21-10).  GUA 2 d ESA 2 2-1 (21-14, 24-26, 15-6). Semifinals: CRC 1 d CRC 2 2-0 (21-14, 21-12), GUA 2 d GUA 1 2-0 (21-16, 21-14). Third Place: CRC 2 d GUA 1 2-0 (21-18, 23-21). First Place: CRC 1 d GUA 2 2-0 (21-11, 21-5)