Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador all triumphed in Day One

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, September 13, 2010 - Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador all opened with victories during the first day of action at the XVI Men’s Central American Tournament.

Costa Rica defeated Nicaragua by score of 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-22), Guatemala had to battle to overcome Honduras 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-17), and hosts El Salvador scored an easy victory over Belize 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-10).

Richard Smith was the best scorer for Costa Rica with 11 points while David Mayorga also tallied 11 for Nicaragua.

Guatemalans Jeyson Flores and Oscar Garcia topped Guatemala with 18 and 14 points respectively and Fabrizzio Matamoros and Evans Torres led Honduras with 15 and 12.

El Salvador needed only 57 minutes to defeat Belize with Carlos Amaya and Francisco Hernandez compiling 11 and 9 points. Elton Moore charted 15 points for the defeated side.

“The first match of every tournament is and uphill situation,” Costa Rican Luis Carlos Sanchez said. “Nicaragua was a team that battled until the last point, and we improved step by step.”

Young Sergio Ralda, setter of Guatemala, commented afterwards: “I wanted the opportunity and the confidence from my teammates was a great help for this match.”

On Tuesday’s action, Costa Rica faces Guatemala, Nicaragua goes against El Salvador and defending champions Panama makes its debut against Belize.