Villegas brothers lead Costa Rica victory at AFECAVOL Zonal Phase
 

MONTELIMAR, Nicaragua, January 30, 2011. -  Costa Rica defeated Guatemala 3-1 to capture the top place at the Men’s AFECAVOL Zonal Phase Olympic qualifier of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Cup that finished on Sunday.

Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador completed the four teams advancing to the next phase of the competition.

Brothers Gilberto and Alexander Villegas, who formed Costa Rica’s B Team, won both their matches over Guatemalans Luis Garcia/Alfredo Cabrera 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) and Erick Garrido/Julio Recinos 2-1 (21-11, 18-21, 15-10). Marcelo Araya/Jonathan Guevara defeated García/Cabrera 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) but failed against Garrido/Recinos 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-9).

Nicaragua captured third place, defined in a Golden Set El Salvador 15-11. Earlier, Nicaraguans had prevailed 3-1 in the series against Panama. Gerald Umaña/Dany Lopez won two matches over Domingo Avila/Edward Díaz 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) and Otto Penson/Gilberto Martinez 2-0 (21-16, 21-14). Meanwhile Winston Calderón/Francisco Castro scored a 2-0 (21-6, 21-8) win over Penson/Martinez and lost to Avila/Diaz 2-1 (21-13, 18-21, 22-20).

El Salvador blanked Honduras winning all matches. Carlos Leiva/David Vargas defeated Randall Vigil/Manuel Serrano 2-0 (21-17, 21-11) and triumphed 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) against Luis Baide/Wilfredo Vega. Arnoldo Quintanilla/Rafael Vargas prevailed 2-1 (21-19, 21-11, 16-14) against Vigil/Serrano and succeeded 2-1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-13) over Baide/Vega.

Sunday’s men results: ESA A d. HON B 2-0 (21-17, 21-11); ESA B d. HON A 2-1 (19-21, 21-11, 16-14); CRC A d. GUA B 2-0 (21-17, 21-19); CRC B d. GUA A 2-1 (21-11, 18-21, 15-10); NCA B d. PAN A 2-0 (21-17, 21-13); NCA A d. PAN B 2-0 (21-6, 21-8); NCA B d. PAN A 2-0 (21-17, 21-13); GUA A d. CRC A 2-1 (18-21, 21-14, 15-9); NCA B d. PAN B 2-0 (21-16, 21-14); PAN A d. NCA A 2-1 (13-21, 21-18, 17-15); Golden Set for  3rd and 4th place: NCA d. ESA 15-11.