U21 Central American Men’s Volleyball Championship: ‘The goal was to win a medal’ – Belize’s coach Yamil Herrera

Posted: Thursday, October 17, 2024. 8:37 pm CST.

U21 Central American Men’s Volleyball Championship: ‘The goal was to win a medal’ – Belize’s coach Yamil Herrera

Belize celebrate winning a medal at 20th Under 21 Central American AFECAVOL Men’s Volleyball Championship in Panama after defeating El Salvador 3-1 on Thursday – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize Men’s National Volleyball Team coach, Cuban Yamil Herrera, said Belize’s objective of winning a medal at the 20^th Under 21 Central American AFECAVOL Men’s Volleyball Championship in Panama, was achieved.

“From the beginning, I said it would be a close competition due to the level of most teams,” Herrera told AFECAVOL after Belize’s final match against El Salvador on Thursday, which guaranteed Belize at least the bronze medal.

“It was quite a tough competition. We came out victorious in four matches, faltering in key games, but the goal was to win a medal.”

Team Belize Captain Eleazar Mejía, who had said earlier that Belize was aiming for gold, mentioned that after defeating El Salvador 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18) and finishing with a 4-2 record and 19 points, the team was waiting for the final game between Panama and Costa Rica.

“With this result, we secured the bronze medal, and possibly the silver, depending on Panama’s result,” Mejía told AFECAVOL at the Gimnasio Papa Francisco in Chitré, Panama.

As it stands, any victory by Panama in the final game, which was slated to start at 6:00 pm, secures the silver medal for the hosts, but any victory by Costa Rica tips the balance in Belize’s favor and guarantees the silver medal for our young men.

Belize captain Eleazar Mejia scored 20 points against El Salvador on Thursday, October 17, 2024. – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

In the final game against El Salvador, Belize’s opposite hitter, Kaelen Ingram, again top-scored with 24 points (22 attacks, 2 blocks). Captain Eleazar Mejia produced 20 points (16 attacks, 3 blocks, 1 ace).

Belize beat their opponents 50-39 in attacks and 15-4 in blocks. However, El Salvador was better in serves, 8-4, and made fewer errors, 27-30.

Belize’s opposite hitter, Kaelen Ingram, was the top scorer of the match with 24 points (22 attacks, 2 blocks), followed by captain Eleazar Mejía with 20 points (16 attacks, 3 blocks, 1 ace). Kyron Sutherland added eight points, while Preston Smith and Ryan Usher contributed seven each.

Guatemala, who won the regional competition on Wednesday by defeating Panama 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-10), beat Nicaragua 3-2 (24-26, 25-14, 25-19, 26-28, 15-10) in their final game to finish with a 6-0 record.

Belize celebrate winning a medal at 20th Under 21 Central American AFECAVOL Men’s Volleyball Championship in Panama after defeating El Salvador 3-1 on Thursday – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

AFECAVOL U-21 Men’s Competition Schedule (Panama and Belize Times)

Friday, October 11

• 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Bze): Guatemala 3-0 El Salvador (25-23, 26-24, 25-22)
• 5:30 pm (4:30 pm Bze): Belize 3-0 Nicaragua (25-11, 25-21, 29-27)
• 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Bze): Panama 3-0 Honduras (25-20, 25-13, 25-20).

Saturday, October 12

• 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Bze): Belize 3-2 Costa Rica (25-20, 25-20, 17-25, 25-27, 15-13)
• 5:30 pm (4:30 pm Bze): Guatemala 3-0 Honduras (25-16, 25-13, 25-15)
• 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Bze): Panama 3-1 El Salvador (23-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-23)

Sunday, October 13

• 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Bze): Guatemala 3-0 Belize (25-19 27-25 25-14)
• 5:30 pm (4:30 pm Bze): Nicaragua 3-0 El Salvador (25-15, 25-21, 29-27)
• 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Bze): Costa Rica 3-0 Honduras (25-18 25-23 25-17)

Monday, October 14

• 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Bze): Nicaragua 3-1 Honduras (27-29, 25-23, 25-19, 25-15)
• 5:30 pm (4:30 pm Bze): Costa Rica 3-2 El Salvador (20-25, 26-28, 25-16, 26-24, 15.9.
• 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Bze): Panama 3-2 Belize (24-26, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 18-16)

Tuesday, October 15

• 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Bze): Guatemala 3-0 Costa Rica (25-13, 25-14, 25-16)
• 5:30 pm (4:30 pm Bze): Belize 3-0 Honduras (25-21, 25-17, 25-20)
• 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Bze): Panama 3-2 Nicaragua (25-16, 21-25, 25-27, 25-20, 19-17)

Wednesday, October 16

• 3:00 pm (2:00 pm Bze): El Salvador 3-0 Honduras (25-16, 25-15, 25-14)
• 5:30 pm (4:30 pm Bze): Costa Rica 3-2 Nicaragua (16-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17, 15-6),
• 8:00 pm (7:00 pm Bze): Guatemala 3-2 Panama (25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-10)

Thursday, October 17

• 2:00 pm (1:00 pm Bze): Belize 3-1 El Salvador ((21-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-18)
• 4:30 pm (3:30 pm Bze): Guatemala 3-2 Nicaragua (24-26, 25-14, 25-19, 26-28, 15-10)
• 7:00 pm (6:00 pm Bze): Panama vs Costa Rica

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The post U21 Central American Men’s Volleyball Championship: ‘The goal was to win a medal’ – Belize’s coach Yamil Herrera appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Thursday, October 17, 2024. 8:37 pm CST. U21 Central American Men’s Volleyball Championship: ‘The goal was to win a medal’ – Belize’s coach Yamil Herrera
The post U21 Central American Men’s Volleyball Championship: ‘The goal was to win a medal’ – Belize’s coach Yamil Herrera appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.