El Salvador to Quarterfinals after win over Honduras

San Salvador, El Salvador, July 31, 2014 – El Salvador won 3-1 a hard-fought battle against Honduras, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-19 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the NORCECA Boys’ U 21 Continental Championship at the “Palacio de los Deportes".

El Salvador (1-1) was second in the Pool A and will play against United States, who finished second Pool C, while Puerto Rico will face Barbados at quarterfinals. Barbados finished 2-0 at Pool A and Puerto Rico (1-1) was second in Pool B.

The blocking was the key for El Salvador, with Samuel Valdez as their best scorer with 29 points on 22 kills, two aces and five blocks. Mauricio Rivas added 20 points on 16 attacks and one aces. El Salvador scored on 32 Honduras errors while committing 35. Honduras led in kills (49-46), but El Salvador led blocks (16-2) and aces (3-2).

William Thompson led Honduras with 18 points, all kills and Ornello Watler totaled 14 points on 12 kills and two blocks.

Quotes

Samuel Valdez, Captain of El Salvador: "We started very nervous and anxious. The reception failed, but we did focus and better things happened. Now we face a difficult opponent as we face the United States. We will go out to play the way we know."

Ricardo Rivera, Coach of El Salvador: "The first set was messy, bad reception and that is fundamental for the attack. We put things together and calmed down. They understood that serve and reception are keys. Everything that comes after that is positive. It is an honor and a challenge to face the United States for their level and we accept the challenge."

Jose Arellano, Captain of Honduras: "The team was not consistent. Our goal was to reach semi-final and we didn’t. We lacked technique and attitude."

Rony Martinez Honduras’ Coach: "The guilty is the coaching staff. We included players who should not be in the selection yet. They don’t have the attitude, but it is our fault."