Costa Rica prevails over Nicaragua 3-1

BELIZE CITY, Belize, August 5,2018 - Costa Rica continued to dominate their rivalry with Nicaragua 3-1 (20-25, 25-12, 25-22, 25-14) in the fourth match of the 20^th Central American women’s volleyball championship in Belize City.

After a rocky start in the first set, Costa Rica had the advantage in all aspects - spikes: 48-36, blocks: 7-6 and 12-3 on serves, gaining 28 points from their opponents’ errors, though they conceded as many by their own errors.

Outside hitter Yuliana González led Costa Rica with 18 points: 15 spikes, and she served 3 aces. Outside hitter Tannia Carazo scored 14 points: 10 spikes, serving 3 aces and 1 block. Middle blockers Susan Alpizar and Kiara Jimenez scored 13 and 8 points respectively.

Nicaragua took the first set: 25-20; led by middle blocker Helen Trana with 13 points, while outside hitter Amalia Hernadez added 12 points.

Costa Rica’s coach Cesar Salas Salazar said, “It was game of strategy and tactics; the way we planned it was to attack the weakest points of the Nicaraguan team, which we had analysed very well, and it made all the difference. Maybe the set we lost was by virtue of Nicaragua’s ability to mark and block well. But afterwards, our team settled down to execute our game plan, with an aggressive serve and a controlled attack with surgical strikes. We also had good reception, which helped us a lot. The team still has room for improvement, and today was a good game for all.”

Team captain Tannia Carazo was adamant: “everything will have to improve if we are to win the remaining games, and we are glad to have won!”

Nicaragua’s coach Rene Ivan Quintana Pereira admitted that “Costa Rica’s team received very well! They were stronger and superior to us in blocking; even though, our team is taller. They played to their strengths, of being the team who always defends well, who plays with technical finesse, and in the end they were better and came out on top, as is their custom.”

Veteran Claudia Noguera conceded: “It was a very good game, and Costa Rica played a very tactical game. We took the first set, but alas, our plan did not work out in the other sets. We’ll work on our next game now.”