Guatemala wins AFECAVOL WCQT undefeated

BELIZE CITY, Belize, September 30, 2016.- Guatemala won the AFECAVOL Men’s FIVB World Championship qualification tournament undefeated after beating Nicaragua 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-22) at St. Catherine Academy Center of Belize City.

Guatemala performed with fast runs, to maintain the same rhythm in which they started off the tournament, having no complications in beating Nicaragua. Guatemala finishes with perfect 6-0 record and 29 points, taking the first place of the competition and qualifying to the NORCECA final round next year.  Nicaragua concludes win-less 0-6 and 3 points.

The Guatemalan players held a huge advantage in blocking 10-2 and 36-30 in spikes, allowing 17 points on unforced errors. Nicaragua did better in serves 3-2 and committed 27 errors.

Guatemala’s top scorer was middle blocker Andy Leonardo with 12 points, followed by outside hitter Jeyson Nery Flores and middle blocker Brandon Chinchilla with 9 points apiece. Outside hitter Tito Valdivia tallied 12 points leading Nicaragua.

Aldo Arias, captain of Guatemala: “We are very happy with the outcome; we still don’t believe we beat Dominican Republic. What’s coming next will be tougher and we must practice hard to be well prepared, we hope to win one of the tickets to the World Championship. We are going back home with the Cup”.

Andy Leonardo, top scorer of Guatemala: “I always motivate myself in practice and my teammates as well, I do it during the game too; playing boosts my adrenaline and I become more explosive, so I always look to be my best and motivate everyone. I am grateful with my coach, my physical trainer and all my team”.

Reider Lucas, coach of Guatemala: “We are very glad, I congratulate my team for putting on a good competition, they worked well, and there were matches tougher than others. We are very satisfied to have finished in first place”.