PONCE, Puerto Rico, May 18, 2024. – Costa Rica defeated Guatemala in straight sets 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-5) and will play for fifth place of the Boys U19 NORCECA Continental Championship at the Salvador Dijols Coliseum in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
On Sunday, Costa Rica will face the winner between Suriname and the Dominican Republic for fifth place in the event; Guatemala will face the loser for seventh place.
In pool-play, Costa Rica also defeated Guatemala but in four sets.
Costa Rica dominated their Central American rival without difficulty, with advantages in kills 43-21, in blocks 8-3 and 5-1 in aces. Costa Rica benefited from 63 errors by Guatemala compared to their 34.
Three Costa Rican players scored double digits, led by captain Eytan Vargas with 18 points, outside hitter Stanley Grant with 15 points, and opposite Ignacio Morales with 13 points.
Robertocarlo Argüello, Coach of Costa Rica: “We wanted to finish the match quickly because tomorrow is an important day. In the previous match, we made some changes that cost us a set against Guatemala. Yesterday, we couldn’t win against Canada, and it was very exhausting, so we are aiming for fifth place tomorrow.”
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