Nicaragua edges El Salvador in five sets

MANAGUA, June 23, 2019 - Nicaragua defeated El Salvador 3-2 (25-20, 25-21, 13-25, 23-25, 15-11 in a vibrant closing game of the first day of the IV Championship Central American Sub 23 Volleyball.

After a good Nicaraguan start in the blocking, the Salvadorans made adjustments in service and attack, controlling the actions of sets 3 and 4, as well as in the first part of the fifth set they led 4-1, but Nicaragua reacted to take 8-6 advantage in the last set, to stay with the win.

María Fernanda Campos with 16 points led the attack for Nicaragua, plus 14 each from Andrea Pereira and Dalia Conto. Gabriela Funes, captain of El Salvador, was the best in attack with 21 points, María Jiménez with 13 and Kiana Vásquez, with 10.

El Salvador led the attack 48-43, in blocking 10-10 and in service Nicaragua took advantage 12-5, while they achieved 39 points for errors of the opponent, for 36 committed.

Claudia Noguera, coach of Nicaragua: "It is always important in the first day to get a victory. All teams are difficult, because we have a similar level in Central America. The girls lost a little concentration, but the important thing was to see that they resumed the game and took it forward."

Noé Fabian, coach of El Salvador: "Nicaragua started well and finished well. In the end the fatigue was noticed in our players. The good thing is that it is the first game and we know we can do more. The team responded, it could have had better results, but it will help us improve for what lies ahead."

Nicaragua will face Honduras at 6:30 in the afternoon on Monday, while El Salvador will face Panama.