Guatemala prevails in a five-set battle with Nicaragua

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico, July 20, 2010 – Guatemala won a five-set battle (14-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 15-10) against Nicaragua and a berth in the quarterfinals after finishing third in Pool B of the women’s volleyball tournament at the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games.

Guatemalan Blanca Recino scored a tournament-high 36 points, including five blocks and 2 aces, while Diana Arias and Rut Gomez added 16 and 12 respectively. Nicaraguans Jaqueline Toruño and Amalia Hernandez charted 19 and 17 points.

“Our matches against Nicaragua are always very close and we won this time in a match of many ups and downs. Our goal is to keep working and finish in the best possible position,” Guatemalan Aneliesse Burmeister said.

“I am satisfied with the match,” Nicaragua’s coach Rene Quintana said. “They played better than us in the fifth set, with better blocking and defense. After they built a five-point lead it was very difficult for us to overcome that big difference.”