Belize lose 3-1 to Nicaragua, play Honduras on Friday in Central American U17 Women’s Championship

Posted: Friday, September 27, 2024. 12:04 pm CST.

Belize’s Akili Jones, 11, hammers Nicaragua on Thursday, September 26 – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Nicaragua defeated the Belize Under-17 Women’s National Team 3-1 (26-24, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21) on Thursday night in Day 3 of the first-ever Central American U17 Women’s Championship in Managua.

The victory puts Nicaragua in second place with a 3-0 record and 13 points, one less than leaders Costa Rica (3-0). Meanwhile, Belize, with a 1-2 record, remain in fourth place with five points, two less than Guatemala (1-2) and one more than El Salvador (1-2).

Emaun Marin led Belize with 21 points, while Akili Jones added 18. Luisa Ríos and Lucía Columna scored 12 each for Nicaragua.

Belize were leading 24-22 down the stretch in the first set but lost control and fell 24-26. That must have affected their second set, with Nicaragua winning handily 25-16. Belize regrouped and won the third set 25-20 but couldn’t keep the momentum going into the fourth set and conceded 21-25.

Belize edged Nicaragua by a point, 46-45, in attacks but lost in blocks (3-6). The teams were level at 10-10 in serving aces. However, Belize only gained 25 points from Nicaragua’s errors while conceding 37 points.

Belize celebrate a point against Nicaragua on Thursday, September 26 – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

“Emotional control was decisive in today’s match,” Belize coach José Fontes told AFECAVOL after the match.

“Nicaragua are a very solid team in all aspects of the game. I even think we were a bit better in serving. We played a good first and third set, and in the fourth set, we fought until the end. We take away this as a positive experience and believe that we need to keep working harder to achieve better results.”

“Belize is one of the countries that has improved a lot in its volleyball development in recent years, so it was an important game for us,” Nicaragua coach Claudia Noguera said to AFECAVOL.

“They pushed us to the maximum. Our girls managed to stay focused, and that’s very good for morale for [Friday’s] game against Costa Rica.”

Belize’s Amayah Lino, 21, drives hard against Nicaragua on Thursday, September 26 – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

Incidentally, Costa Rica beat Guatemala in the opening game on Thursday, winning 3-1 (25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23), while El Salvador picked up their first victory, dispatching Honduras 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-23).

On Day 4 on Friday, Guatemala open against El Salvador at 1:30 pm, Belize face Honduras at 4:00 p.m., and Nicaragua clash with Costa Rica in the match that could very well decide the championship at 6:30 p.m.

The tournament finishes on Saturday.

AFECAVOL said all matches will be broadcast live on NicaSports en YouTube.

Belize’s libero Dasialynn Thurton, 16, defends against Nicaragua on Thursday, September 26 – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

Belize’s Match Schedule:

September 24

• 1:30 pm: Costa Rica 3-0 Belize (25-14, 25-16, 25-23)

September 25

• 1:30 pm: Belize 3-1 Guatemala (25-17, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21)

September 26

• 6:30 pm: Nicaragua 3-1 Belize (26-24, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21)

September 27

• 4:00 pm: Belize vs Honduras

September 28

• 1:30 pm: Belize vs El Salvador

Full schedule

September 24

1:30 pm              Costa Rica 3-0 Belize (25-14, 25-16, 25-23)

4:00 pm              Guatemala 3-0 Honduras (25-22, 25-20, 25-21)

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-0 El Salvador (25-12, 25-09, 25-19)

September 25

1:30 pm              Belize 3-1 Guatemala (25-17, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21

4:00 pm              Costa Rica 3-0 El Salvador (25-13, 25-19, 25-19).

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-1 Honduras (25-6, 17-25, 25-11, 25-15).

September 26

1:30 pm              Costa Rica 3-1 Guatemala (25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23) 

4:00 pm              El Salvador 3-1 Honduras (22-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-23)

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-1 Belize (26-24, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21)

September 27

1:30 pm              Guatemala vs El Salvador

4:00 pm              Belize vs Honduras

6:30 pm              Costa Rica vs Nicaragua

September 28

1:30 pm              Belize vs El Salvador

4:00 pm              Costa Rica vs Honduras

6:30 pm              Nicaragua vs Guatemala

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The post Belize lose 3-1 to Nicaragua, play Honduras on Friday in Central American U17 Women’s Championship appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Friday, September 27, 2024. 12:04 pm CST. Belize’s Akili Jones, 11, hammers Nicaragua on Thursday, September 26 – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL By Rubén Morales Iglesias:
The post Belize lose 3-1 to Nicaragua, play Honduras on Friday in Central American U17 Women’s Championship appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.