Panama defeats Belize to improve record 2-1

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 9, 2014.- Panama defeated Belize 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-17) to improve their win-loss record 2-1 at the Women’s XVIII Central American Cup at Teodoro Palacios Flores Gymnasium in Guatemala.

Panama seemed a little out of rhythm mostly in blocking while Belize managed to score with strong kills. Finally, Panama took command with its more experienced players to improve their record and accumulate nine points.

Despite Belize superior blocking (9-4), Panama dominated in kills (36-26) and in aces (4-0). Panama scored via 31 errors from Belize and committed 20 of their own.

With double-figures, captain Joanna Arroyo and outside hitter Jazmin Rojas led Panama scoring 11 and 10 points respectively. Otuside hitter Tichele Solis topped Belize with 8 points, followed by Maurisa Williams and Nelissa Ramirez with 7 points apiece.

Joanna Arroyo always thanks God for his guidance thru out the match, she indicated “our attitude today was very down, that’s why we seemed a little slow in our performance but we were able to overcome the obstacles presented by Belize and take out a straight victory as we wanted. Belize had the attitude to push hard and it wasn’t an easy task to defeat them”.

Captain Tanesha Encalada of Belize said that Joanna held her team together “I wasn’t able to do the same with my team, we performed well but we couldn’t move forward, I think because the team is not fully sure of their performance”.

“Even in practice the team was down in energy” said Panamanian coach Reynaldo Ortega. “They had an off disposition and I tried to motivate them as much as I could; I believe they were hoping for better results and some personal problems are on their minds” he added.

Coach Jose Reyes stated he’s unsatisfied “I really don’t know what’s going on, my two top spikers aren’t efficient and it’s been difficult coming thru. The general mood is not positive and it’s affecting my team; I really believe we could have won a set or maybe two”.