Costa Rica prevails over Panama and remains unbeaten

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 10, 2014.-  Defending champion Costa Rica keeps moving forward unbeaten as they prevailed over Panama 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-15)  at the Women’s XVIII Central American Cup.

Costa Rica used different combinations in their line-up making adjustments as the match developed. Panama was subdued by Costa Rica’s power in every skill. Costa Rica has a 4-0 win-loss record and Panama 2-2.

The winners held advantage in every category, 36-21 in kills, 8-6 in blocking and 8-1 in aces. Panama committed more mistakes against those from Costa Rica (23-13) .

Costa Rica’s best scorer was outside hitter Verania Willis with 12 points, joined by opposite player Mijal Hines with 9 points. Captain Joanna Arroyo topped her team with 7 points.

“Our own objective is to reduce the amount of errors as the tournament develops and setting our own rhythm, today I feel we managed well. We know Panama is missing some key players and this hasn’t been favorable for them. The younger players did a good job as they are becoming part of the senior team” said captain Angela Willis.

For Joanna Arroyo, her team’s performance lacked communication “we aren’t performing well because we lack experienced players and leaving us impotent on occasions to resolve. The players who aren’t here make a difference but the team we brought should fight harder for better results; in fact I’m a little disappointed because facing Costa Rica has always been challenging”.

Coach Horacio Bastit explained that not only good results give him satisfactions “sometimes the team loses a match but their performance is satisfying; today not only did the team win, but they did a good job. We have insisting throughout the tournament in reducing our unforced errors and today we committed less the seven faults per set. Panama had a better performance in the third set as their stronger players scored strongly over the net”.

Coach Reynaldo Ortega of Panama said “today’s practice was really good and I expected much more of my team during the match, maybe they were too anxious to face the one of the strongest team here; yet we are building for the future”.