El Salvador downs Honduras in five sets

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, August 7, 2016. - El Salvador downed Honduras 3-2 (25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 17-25, 15-8) on Sunday at AFECAVOL Women’s U23 Central American Championship in Gimnasio 7 de Diciembre Alfonso Gordillo.

El Salvador had an inspired performance with impressive defense and solid attacking keeping Honduras offense under control in sets one and two. Honduras kept their hopes alive while recovering from a six point deficit to pocket set three. El Salvador stayed in command in set five with Honduras’ numerous imprecisions. Both teams now stand with 1-1 win-loss record.

Honduras controlled the spiking (51-43) and blocking (9-6) categories, and El Salvador did better in blocking (8-7). El Salvador benefited from Honduras’ 48 unforced errors and committed 32 of their own.

Outside hitter Gabriela Funes led El Salvador with 19 points followed by middle blocker Roxana Avalos with 12 points. Honduras’ top scorer was opposite Cecille Johnson with 28 points, middle blocker Maria Fernanda Carcamo added 16 and outside hitter Lourdes Morales contributed with 12.

On day three of actions, El Salvador (1-1) meets Nicaragua (1-0) and Honduras (1-1) faces Panama (0-2).

Laura Villalobos, captain of El Salvador said “we were too confident and they took advantage well. In the end we finished winning despite of being able to do it 3-0”.

Coach Dany Calderon said “I had the goal to beat Honduras; it was something I had my mind set since the U-20 tournament. Our objective was to finish in three; sadly we need to work on being more consistent. Honduras has the merit of rebounding, their coach worked very well to catch-up”.

Lourdes Morales captain of Honduras said “we were a bit lazy, their serves controlled us and our passing wasn’t in its best moment”.

“I consider that our problem is in their minds, they were too unsure in their playing, despite of setting a game plan during practice this morning. Our libero failed a lot” said Cuban Marcos Tejeda, coach of Honduras.