Guatemala opens with victory against Panama

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, June 23, 2019 - Guatemala beat Panama 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-16) in the start of the IV Central American Championship U23 of Women's Volleyball that takes place in the Alexis Arguello Gym of this city.

María García, captain of Guatemala, led the attack with 10 points, while Martha Guillermo and María Villagrán contributed 8 each. Yileen NG, captain of Panama, scored 10 points.

The winning team dominated its opponents in everything. With 29-23 in attack, 5-4 in blocking and above all managed to impose distance in the service, 9-0, plus 32 errors of the opponent by only 19.

The captain of Guatemala said that "to be the first game I think we did well, we started a little nervous, but we had a lot of confidence in what we had worked as a team. We fit very well to the different situations of the game that Panama demanded of us."

William Fernandez, coach of Guatemala: "Always the first game is difficult, in any event, we started a little slow, but we achieved the goal that was the victory. Panama has stature and power in the attack, in addition we play with the wind in this field that must be taken into account ".

"We lacked some things in the game, but we are satisfied with the result. They ignored the approach, tactically fulfilled what was proposed. "

"We started very loose, we lost a lot of balls, we were insecure, we lacked communication. At the time we could reach Guatemala, but there was no attitude. This was just the first game and we hope to increase the pace and do our part to improve in the next games," said the captain of Panama.

Ismael Ortega, coach of Panama: "We came to this tournament without any international warm-up match, we saw a lot of apathy, a lot of nervousness, I would say that the team did not play at 30 percent of what they can give. Guatemala is a team with tradition, with good results at Central American level, they played very safe, taking advantage of our mistakes. No such result satisfies, it is uncomfortable, but we hope and we are convinced that the team, as the tournament progresses, will improve."

On the second day of Sub 23 in Managua, Guatemala will play against Costa Rica at 2:30 p.m., while Panama is measured against El Salvador at 4:30 p.m.