MANAGUA, Nicaragua, November 20, 2025.– Costa Rica came from behind to claim a 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-19) victory over Barbados, earning their second win in Pool A of the NORCECA U17 Boys’ Continental Championship.
Costa Rica (2-1) must now wait for the match between Puerto Rico and Nicaragua to determine whether they advance to the semifinals or play in the quarterfinals. Barbados falls to a 1-2 record and must wait to determine their final placement.
Kenneth Quirós led Costa Rica with 16 points, Braulio Alvarado contributed 15, and Ignacio Alpízar added 13. For Barbados, Isaiah John scored 20 points and Piere Gill added 15.
Costa Rica held advantages in attacking (52-41) and serving (8-6). Barbados led in blocking (7-4) but gave up 34 points on unforced errors, while Costa Rica committed 26.
Walter Jenkins, Costa Rica’s head coach: “We started very nervous, too nervous, but it’s normal, as I told them yesterday. Because of their age, it’s normal. But thank God things worked out. We made a couple of changes that, thankfully, worked. Things went our way, but yes, there was a moment of a lot of pressure in that first set and at the start of the second. When you call something a competition, even if it’s a small one, there’s always the hope of winning, because there’s a standings table, and so on… That excites them, and for us as coaches, it fuels our passion and brings us joy.”
Kenneth Quirós, Costa Rica’s top scorer: “I feel very good, honestly. I think we could have won it in three sets, but today we were a bit more nervous than yesterday. Still, I feel really good. Tomorrow’s matches will be very tough, but we will go out the same way, to give our best and fight for the victory.”
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