Guatemala beats Honduras to finish seventh place at U18 Pan Am Cup

Durango, Mexico, May 26, 2019. - Guatemala beat Honduras 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17) to finish seventh place at the Girls’ U18 Pan American Cup in Auditorio del Pueblo of Durango, Mexico.

Guatemala reached both technical time-outs with a comfortable lead (8-4, 16-9) working hard over the net winning the first set by a sizeable 25-17. Honduras recovered from a five-point deficit (6-11) to even the score to 11 in set two, on Guatemalan attack and defense errors; but outside hitter Laura Cortéz along with opposite Jimena Castellanos carried Guatemala to lead 2-0. In set three, Honduras’ attackers struggled to hold off Guatemala’s organized performance that kept on moving forward remaining on top the entire set.  

Guatemala carried out a well-organized performance leading with huge 40-23 margin in spikes, 5-3 advantage in blocks and committed fewer errors (25-28). Honduras led 4-2 in blocks.

Outside hitter Laura Cortéz was key in Guatemala’s victory scoring 20 points, joined by opposite player Jimena Castellanos with 11 points. Opposite Rocio Duron led Honduras with 10 points and outside hitter Dazly Duran chipped in with 8 points.

“Our success is because we played in Peru” indicated Guatemala’s coach William Fernandez. “I believe that both of teams have shown progress, we are a young team and we are working for our future and compete stronger against Norceca teams. With more progress in the Central American area we can be more competitive. I am glad to have neutralized Honduras’ attack; the team was disciplined despite the fact that our opponents used 2 or 3 setters”.

Catarine Leiva Honduras coach said “we came short; we were prepared for to give a good performance, we lacked discipline. The players did not carry out our tactic and they didn’t follow instructions. That’s how sport goes, today we lost. We are leaving with a lot of experience, preparing for Central American events; we know what to work on”.