Managua, Nicaragua, December 4, 2016. - Hosts Nicaragua beat El Salvador 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-22) to top the AFECAVOL Women’s 2018 FIVB World Championship qualification tournament in Managua.
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Latest VideosFacebookTwitterInstagramMedia Guides Nicaragua dominated El Salvador from the start. And in set three, the home team made a spectacular recovery from an eight point deficit (3-11) with the crowd roaring in excitement to push its favourites to a first place finish, undefeated. Nicaragua ended the tournament with a perfect 4-0 win-loss record and 19 points. They had qualified a day earlier for the second round NORCECA 2018 FIVB World Championship qualification tournament, which will take place next year..
Nicaragua held a 36-27 advantage in kills, a 7-6 margin in serves and scored on 27 opponent errors while limiting their own to only 12 points. El Salvador did better in blocking gaining a 9-5 advantage.
Nicaragua’s scorers were led by outside hitter Amalia Hernandez with 10 points, middle blocker Hellen Traña with 9 points and setter Lolette Rodriguez with 8 points. Outside hitters Madeline Gonzales and Adriana Flores of El Salvador scored 13 and 10 points respectively.
Nicaragua setter Lolette Rodriguez said: “Thanks to our coaches’ instructions and shouting, we recovered in set three. We are very glad to have won the tournament, we faced tough teams and we hope to move forward from the second round. All our opponents play strong against us but we managed to keep focused.”
Nicaragua coach René Quintana said: “These players have all the credit, they are dedicated to volleyball, they prepared for a long time and today they finish heroines. The support and applause of the fans is highly valued, as well as my coaching staff and that of many persons that make today’s victory possible. I hope to reach the podium in the Central American Games next year.”
Nicaragua Federation President Bertha Cuadra said: “We are very excited, we fought hard for this result, and the team was well prepared to finish like this.”
Final Standing: 1. Nicaragua; 2. Guatemala; 3. Panama; 4. El Salvador; 5. Honduras.
The following players received individual awards for their participation in the AFECAVOL qualifier:
Best Setter: Lolette Rodriguez, Panama
1st Best Blocker: Angela Evans, Panama
2nd Best Blocker: Ada Villalobos, Guatemala
1st Best Spiker: Blanca Recinos, Guatemala
2nd Best Spiker: Amalia Hernandez, Nicaragua
Best Libero: Juny Aguilera, Nicaragua
Best Opposite: Rut Gomez, Guatemala
For more information, visit the
NORCECA website.
Also read:2018 Women's World Championship qualification process set to continue in Aruba