Costa Rica overcomes a resilient Belize in consecutive sets

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, October 21, 2022.- Costa Rica earned their second victory while overcoming a resilient Belize (0-4) in consecutive sets 3-0 (25-15, 29-27, 24-23) on day four of the XIX AFECAVOL Men’s U21 Central American Championship.

The game was decided in the second set because both teams had a chance to win the set, but Costa Rica benefited with their blocking strength. In the third, Belize never stopped pressuring, Costa Rican serves marked the difference complicating their opponents’ attacks, allowing them to counterattack more effectively.  

Costa Rica’s captain, Dowshel Smith ended with 21 points and Johan Cerdas with 12. For Belize, Eleazar Mejía continued to be effective with 15 points and Prestin Smith with 12.

Belize held advantage in kills 37-32, 8-7 in blocks and both teams scored on 3 serves; but Costa Rica scored 37 points on Belizean errors against 17.

Johan Cerdad, outstanding player of Costa Rica: “It was hard, but we are very happy, I hope we continue like this in the rest of the tournament and have good results. This is my first time in the national team, I am happy because I’m performing well; with every match we’re looking more like a team, unfortunately we didn’t have many games to prepare, but we are trying to do our best”.

Juan Calderón Chanto, setter of Costa Rica: “It’s a great experience, in 2019 I had a similar experience, and you learn a lot. It’s the first time for many, we prepared to do the best we can, and I believe we’re doing well. The sets were too close, we lacked concentration in some moments, but in the end, we won”.

On Saturday Belize faces Honduras at 2:00 p.m. and Costa Rica against Nicaragua at 6:00 p.m.

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