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AGUASCALIENTE, Mexico, August 14, 2021.-
Guatemala beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 (25-19,
25-17, 25-18 ) in their first win at the Women’s
U23 Pan American Cup and will face Costa Rica
for fifth place.
For the second occasion in the event Guatemala
and Costa Rica meet, this time for fifth place,
Costa Rica won the Central American clash in
pool-play.
The game went smoothly for both sides; Guatemala
led 26-24 in attacks and 7-3 in serves, and
Trinidad and Tobago in blocks 8-6. Guatemala
scored on 35 opponent errors while committing
19.
Guatemala’s leading scorers were outside hitter
Naomi Monney with 11 points on 10 kills and one
ace, middle blocker Ivana Sopegno scored 9
points including 4 blocks and outside hitter
Jimena Castellanos alongside setter Andrea
Chávez added 6 points each; Chavez with 5 aces.
Middle blocker Destiny Leon of Trinidad and
Tobago was the match top scorer with 14 points,
9 on kills, 2 blocks and 3 aces; Natassia
Baptiste contributed with 10 points on 7 kills
and 3 blocks.
Jimena Castellanos Captain of Guatemala: “I
believe our weakness is attitude, we don’t
believe in what we are capable of performing and
today we definitely had a different attitude.
Our previous games were a red flag for us”.
David Aldana Coach of Guatemala: “Our goal was
to serve strong, we accomplished it, the players
that weren’t blocking as they should today
improved a lot and our outside hitters recovered
their confidence. The level of play is not
compared to tomorrows’ match because we will
face an opponent from our region; I believe if
they are determined to win just like today we
could have a good result”.
Courtnee Mae Coach of Trinidad and Tobago: “We
came shorthanded with only eight players, we did
our best in representing our country; we got
together on short notice, with only two weeks to
train together, but at the end of it all I am
proud of my team and hopefully we can prepare
better for the next tournament”. |
