Leonardo and Garcia win second straight title

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, July 8, 2017 - Andy Leonardo/Luis Garcia of Guatemala played a tough battle to Nicaragua’s Denis Lopez/Gerald Umaña winning the XVII Central American AFECAVOL Beach Volleyball tournament (26-28, 21-19, 16-14) with excellent defense, effective blocking and strong attacks.

This is Andy and Luis second consecutive title, last year they downed Dany Lopez and Ruben Mora of Nicaragua in the gold medal match.

Nicaragua pocketed an exhausting first set 28-26, after a long defense rally that left them out of breathe. Guatemala recovered winning the second set 21-19 with two powerful blocks by Leonardo.

Denis Lopez and Luis Garcia delighted the crowd with fantastic defense, while Leonardo and Umaña struggled over the net. After a 14 tie score in the third set, Leonardo dispatched his opponents with a strong attack followed by a soft touch.

In quarterfinals, Leonardo/Garcia prevailed 21-15, 21-18 over Carlos Escobar/David Vargas of El Salvador and beat Richard Smith/Bryan Monge of Costa Rica 21-18, 21-9

Lopez/Umaña battled in three sets 2-1 (19-21, 26-24, 15-9) with Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala of El Salvador. In semifinals they beat countrymen Ruben Mora/Dany Lopez with 23-21 in both sets.

Mora/Lopez won the bronze medal after defeating Richard Smith/Bryan Monge of Costa Rica 2-1 (21-19, 14-21, 15-12).

Men’s results Sunday

Final: GUA 1- GUA (2-0) 28-26, 21-19, 16-14. Third Place: NCA 1 – CRC 1 (2-1)  21-19, 14-21,15-12. Semifinals: GUA 1- CRC 1 (2-0) 21-18, 21-9, NCA 2 – NCA 1 (2-0) 23-21, 23-21. Quarterfinals: GUA 1- ESA 2 (2-0)  21-15, 21-18, CRC 1- CRC 2 (2-1) 26-24, 17-21, 15-10, NCA 2 - ESA 1 (2-1) 19-21, 26-24, 15-9, NCA 1 – GUA 2 (2-0) 21-12, 21-18