MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Tues. Sept. 12, 2023
After a promising start with a 17-11 lead, Belize’s women’s national volleyball team was unable to hold on to a 2-1 set lead in the 4th set of its match with Honduras on September 10, and they would lose that set 22–25; and they would also lose the 5th and decisive set of the match, 5-15, and with it their chances of winning the silver medal in the XXII AFECAVOL Women’s Major Central American Cup at the Alexis Arguello Sports Center.
Belize’s Lady Jaguars (2-4) would go on to lose to El Salvador (3-3), who finished 4th, on September 11, and also lose their shot at a third-place finish and the bronze medal.
They then tied a bow of some sorrow on their tournament by losing to 3rd place Nicaragua (4-2) in their final game today to finish in 5th place, ahead of Guatemala (1-5): 6th, and Panama (0-6): 7th and last.
Honduras (5-1) finished in second place, as it could not defeat the tournament’s juggernaut Costa Rica (6-0), falling 1-3, (25-17, 17-25, 12-25, 18-25), today.
The last time Honduras won a medal in the Central American Cup was in 1995, when it came in second place. In 1991 they won the gold medal.
After defeating Belize, Cecille Johnson, Honduras’ best scorer, told the media: “We are very excited; we had not won a medal for years and so today we are very happy. It has been more than 30 years since we’ve won anything, and I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Today the game was very strong, the fatigue and the heat affected us, but we fought for all the points to obtain the victory.”
Costa Rica won its 16th consecutive Women’s Senior Central American Cup gold medal, and 19th title in the history of this tournament, losing only 3 sets and winning 18 in this one.
Belize’s efforts were led by Nelissa Ramirez with 71 points from 67 attacks, a block and 3 aces, and Nissan Martinez with 60 points from 40 strikes, 15 blocks and 5 serving aces.
Nelissa Ramírez was named the tournament’s second-Best Attacker and Nissan Martínez the second-Best Blocker.
Marcela Araya, the captain of the Costa Rican team, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the XXII AFECAVOL Women’s Senior Central American Cup. She was also named the Best Attacker and her teammate María José Castro won the awards for Best Defense and Best Libero.
The Best Service award went to María Andrea Santa Cruz from Guatemala, the Best Reception award went to Carmen Chávez from El Salvador, and her partner Daniela Sánchez won the Best Setter.
The recognitions for Best Blocker and Best Scorer went to Ana Gabriela Marcelín, from Honduras, while the Best Opposite award went to Lolette Rodríguez from Nicaragua.