Guatemala gets into the battle by beating Honduras

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, June 27, 2019 - Guatemala achieved its second triumph of the tournament, which keeps them alive for the medals, by overcoming Honduras in an exciting game 3-2 (12-25, 25-8, 27-25, 24-26 , 15-12), on the fifth day of the IV Central American U23 Women's Volleyball Championship.

In more than two hours of play (2:04) both teams fought to secure a place on the podium, and Honduras started dominant winning 25-12, but it was Guatemala who reacted forcefully by winning 25-8 in the second set. From then on it was a power struggle, which was defined in favor of the Guatemalan women thanks to their service.

Guatemala´s captain, María García scored 20 points, María Villagrán followed with 19 and Laura Cortéz with 11. For Honduras, Nathaly Pérez and Cecille Johnson were left with 19.

Guatemala won the service 20-10 and in attacks 47-45, while Honduras was better in blocking 6-4. Honduras added 35 points for errors of the opponent and granted 32.

Caterine Leiva, coach of Honduras: "We need to close, the claw to close a set, to be able to define at a decisive point, our first set was strong, in which they applied, but in the second set they were transformed ... we went out to win the fourth and in the fifth we lost again; they are things that have no logical explanation. "

"I'm left with that bad taste in my mouth again, because I think we're a solid, strong team, which we need to be able to close firmly and make strong points at key moments."

William Fernandez, coach of Guatemala: "Current volleyball is very mental, it is psychological, it has to see the pressure, and here above all there is a field where the wind blows back and the serve makes its havoc."

"The two teams were fighting for the podium and we are still fighting. We are in an event that at this point there is nothing decided, it is still up for grabs".

Guatemala will face Belize on Friday at 2:30 p.m. and Honduras is measured to El Salvador at 4:30 p.m.