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GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 21, 2015.- Costa Rica
prevailed over Honduras in straight sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-18 on
day six of the AFECAVOL Men’s U-19 Central American Championship
at Teodoro Palacios Flores.
Costa Rica has a 4-1 win-loss record and earned five important
points for a total of eighteen; Honduras drops to 3-2 and stands
with 14 points. Costa Rica faces Guatemala in the last day of
competition while Honduras meets Nicaragua.
Costa Rica suffered the early loss of middle blocker Nicolas
Velluti due to an ankle injury, but still they managed a
comfortable five point lead powering up on spiking; Honduras
slowly improved in blocking and forced long rallies with great
defense to catch up from a five point deficit while losing
15-22. Costa Rica regrouped and finished 25-23. In set two
neither one was dominant, both struggling with unforced errors.
Costa Rica moved ahead three points with a lot of effort,
winning the set. Honduras’ blocking finally surrendered in the
third set and Costa Rica closed with comfortable margin.
Costa Rica outnumbered Honduras with 44-28 lead in spikes, while
Honduras did their share with a 10-5 margin in blocking and 2-0
in serves. Costa Rica committed 23 errors and Honduras 26.
Costa Rica’s Opposite Mariano Salas led all scorers with 19
points, the only player with double digits. Elder Quiros,
William Baltodano and Juan Arrieta chipped in with 7 points
apiece. For Honduras, setter Jerries Azar scored 9 points,
followed by Carlos Mondragon with 8 points.
Luis Cordero captain of Costa Rica said “the two first sets were
very tight; for me the first set was the hardest because we had
the advantage and they caught up with us, and after yesterday’s
experience we got nervous. We reached our goal and played well”.
Coach Cesar Salas of Costa Rica explained “it was a strange
match, the actions were slow, at this age the players are
influenced by previous results. We studied Honduras and set a
game strategy, we managed control but we had too many errors,
the game was unstable. Honduras didn’t use all the combinations
we expected from them which was in our benefit”.
Captain Carlos Mondragon of Honduras said “we didn’t execute as
well as we can, I believe yesterday’s result affected us; the
mental state among us wasn’t the best, after all we are kids”.
“The team was defeated since yesterday, our game plan couldn’t
develop, and our blocking wasn’t the best. I consider we lack
discipline, the team didn’t follow instructions and at this age
this is very important for our future volleyball” said coach
Marvin Ulloa of Honduras. |
