After a rest day yesterday, the Belize Junior Female team came back against Panama today and played the most exciting game of the tournament so far. It went 5 very close sets, with Belize needing extra points in the deciding set and winning 19-17.
Belize won the first 2 sets very close, 25-23 and 25-22, but then lost the next 2 with very close margins, 24-26 and 23-25. In the 5th set, Belize took a 3-point lead late in the set, but Panama came back. The Belize team remained composed and pulled it out 19-17.
Maurissa Williams was top scorer with 15 points (8 kills, 3 blocks, 4 aces). Sherika Burton had 13 points (all kills). Jashema Saunders and Leandra Betson each had 5 kills and 2 blocks.
SANTA ROSA DE COPAN, HONDURAS, Sun. Aug. 25, 2013
Belize lost its last two matches against the power houses of Central America, Guatemala and Costa Rica, both by a score of 3 sets to 0. Belize finished with a 3 win – 3 loss record, with 12 points, and placed fourth. Our 3 losses came against the eventual medalists, Guatemala, who won Gold, Nicaragua, who got Silver; and Costa Rica, who got Bronze. This is an excellent result and an improvement over the last junior team which had placed 6th.
For the tournament, outside hitter, Sherika Burton was the 3rd best overall scorer with 74 total points (66 kills, 6 blocks, 2 aces), Xiomara Quan was 3rd best setter and Maurissa Williams was 4th best blocker.
The girls played their hearts out, gave a very strong showing and represented Belize very well. We are very proud of the accomplishments of Team Belize.
Next up are the Youth Female Team that travels to Guatemala on August 31 to participate in the Central American Female Youth Volleyball Championship.
(Ed. Note: We’re proud of your effort, Team Belize volleyballers.)