GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, November 3, 2021.-
Defending champion Guatemala won the battle to
Belize 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-17) at the XXI
Men’s Central American Cup being held at
Guatemala’s City Dome.
Guatemala is undefeated with 4-0 record and 18
points, while Belize has 2-3 and 12 points.
The first two sets were really competitive; the
scores were even on several occasions using
strength and a stable defense. In the third set,
Guatemala executed their strategy much easily,
reaching a huge 15-4 advantage and with a solid
finish.
Both teams scored 37 points on attacks and 3
points from serves; Guatemala held a 9-6
advantage in blocks and committed fewer unforced
errors (19-28).
Opposite hitter Andy Leonardo was Guatemala’s
top scorer with 17 points, 15 on kills and 2
aces, joined by outside hitter Gerardo González
who added 12 points, 9 on kills , 2 on blocks
and one ace. Opposite hitter Karym Coleman of
Belize scored a match-high of 18 points, on 16
kills and 2 blocks; outside hitter Francis Hauze
contributed with 13 points.
On Thursday Belize (2-3) faces Costa Rica (4-0)
at 4:00pm and Guatemala (4-0) plays against
Honduras (1-3) at 7:00pm.
Carlos López, captain of Guatemala: “Our
energy was down in the first sets, we weren’t
competitive; in the third set we found our way
and being ahead in the score helped to improve
our energy. These are 5 important points, we’re
coming from two tough first matches and we hope
to win 5 more points tomorrow, the team has more
confidence”.
Bryton Codd, outside hitter of Belize: “I
think there was a momentum changer in the second
set, mentally we weren’t able to recover from
that set. We played very good and clean
volleyball with tight scores at the beginning. I
am very proud of my team and coaches, we just
need to recover and come out stronger tomorrow
against another big team (Costa Rica) but also
another opportunity to grab another win and
improve our record”. |