Nicaragua tops AFECAVOL WCQT unbeaten

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, December 4, 2016. - Hosts Nicaragua beat El Salvador 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-22) to top the AFECAVOL Women’s FIVB World Championship qualification tournament at IND Volleyball Venue in Managua.

Nicaragua fired up from start to finish with El Salvador battling strong. In set three, the home team spectacularly recovered from an eight point deficit (3-11) with the crowd roaring in excitement to Nicaragua taking first place undefeated. Nicaragua concludes with perfect 4-0 win-loss record and 19 points, they had already qualified a day earlier to next year’s FIVB second round qualification tournament.

Nicaragua held 36-27 advantage in kills, 7-6 margin in serves and scored on 27 opponent errors while limiting their own to only 12 points. El Salvador did better in blocking with 9-5 margin.

Nicaragua’s scorers were led by outside hitter Amalia Hernandez with 10 points, middle blocker Hellen Traña with 9 points and setter Lolette Rodriguez with 8 points. Outside hitters Madeline Gonzales and Adriana Flores of El Salvador scored 13 and 10 points respectively.

Lolette Rodriguez, setter of Nicaragua: “Thanks to our coaches’ instructions and shouting, we recovered in set three. We are very glad to have won the tournament, we faced tough teams and we hope to move forward from the second round. All our opponents play strong against us but we managed to keep focused”.  

René Quintana, coach of Nicaragua: “These players have all the credit, they are dedicated to volleyball, they prepared for a long time and today they finish heroines. The support and applause of the fans is highly estimated, as well as my coaching staff and that of many persons that make today’s victory possible. I hope to reach the podium in the Central American Games next year”.  

Bertha Cuadra, President of Nicaragua’s Federation: “We are very excited, we fought hard for this result, and the team was well prepared to finish like this”.