GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, October 18, 2025.– Belize claimed a thrilling five-set victory 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 15-12) over Guatemala to remain undefeated in Pool B of the women’s volleyball tournament at the 12th Central American Games Guatemala 2025.
Belize now holds a 2-0 record and is one step away from advancing to the semifinals. The team will close the preliminary round on Sunday against Panama (0-2), while Guatemala (1-1) will face Honduras (1-1) in a decisive match for a spot in the next round.
Guatemala controlled the first set with the offense of Aury Álvarez and María García, but Belize rallied to tie at 20 after recovering from a three-point deficit (17-20) with attacks from Nelissa Ramírez and two service aces by Herdie Castillo. After another tie at 22, two consecutive Belize errors handed the set to the home team.
Belize started strong in the second set, quickly building a 10-3 lead. Guatemala tried to close the gap with María Andrea Santa Cruz leading the attack and support from Ivana Sopegno, but Belize kept control. Their solid blocking, led by Castillo, Kevanna Sebastian, and Ziane Henderson, proved crucial to tie the match 1-1.
In the third set, the teams were tied at 12 before Belize took the lead for good. The Belizean side capitalized on 11 Guatemalan errors, while Gareth Bruce contributed 5 points and Ramírez added 4, giving them the 2-1 advantage.
Guatemala responded in the fourth, coming from behind to tie at 12 and later taking the lead through the efforts of Sopegno and Álvarez. In a dramatic finish, the home team extended the match with a tight 27-25 score to force a tiebreak.
In the deciding set, Belize took control (10-7) with momentum from Castillo and Sebastian. Castillo’s serve was key to widening the lead (13-8). Guatemala narrowed the gap with Sopegno and Santa Cruz (11-13), but a service error gave Belize match point. Though Santa Cruz scored once more (12-14), Sebastian sealed the victory for Belize with the winning point.
AFECAVOL: GUATEMALA 2025 – VOLEIBOL
Belize held the edge in blocks (12-8) and service points (13-11), while Guatemala led in attacks (58-51). Belize also committed fewer errors (30-37).
Herdie Castillo led Belize with 18 points, followed by Shantell Arnold with 16 and Gareth Bruce with 14. For Guatemala, Ivana Sopegno led all scorers with 20 points, joined by Aury Álvarez with 19 and María Andrea Santa Cruz with 16.
Herdie Castillo, top scorer of Belize, expressed: “We tried our best not to extend to five sets. It was a neck-to-neck battle, we fought strong. Tomorrow, we want to finish pool-play strong. We want a medal, so we have got to fight for it”.
Ivana Sopegno, Guatemala’s top scorer, said: “We were always fighting, united, and giving our best effort. What we lacked was finishing. Belize was a tough opponent. We move forward and hope to earn our spot in the semifinals against Honduras, giving it our all.”
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