GUATEMALA CITY, September 4, 2024. – Guatemala struggled to secure a 3-1 victory (25-18, 25-17, 13-25, 25-21) over Belize in the opening match for both teams in the AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four, held at the Alfonso Gordillo Gymnasium on December 7.
It was a hard-fought match, with both teams showcasing powerful hitters; a total of seven players reached double digits.
For Guatemala, Carlos López scored 15 points, Andy Leonardo had 13 points, and both Yeferson José Zavala and Jason Omar Hernández contributed 12 points each. On the Belizean side, Karym Coleman was the top scorer of the match with 16 points, followed by Francis Hauze with 14 points and Ernest Broaster with 12 points.
Guatemala outperformed Belize in attacks, 49-43, while Belize exceeded Guatemala in blocks, 9-4. Both teams were tied in serves, with 6 points each.
Carlos López, captain and top scorer for Guatemala, said, “Guatemala started strong, leading 2-0. In the third set, we lost focus and made many mistakes that Belize capitalized on. The fourth set was the most contested. I congratulate Belize on the work they’re doing and Guatemala’s bench players for their significant contribution in the final set”.
Karym Coleman, top scorer for Belize and the match, explained, “The match was very good. Belize started off slow, but in the third set, we started strong and won. Tomorrow, I hope we can come out stronger and more focused than in the first two sets today”.
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