The Belizean female volleyball national team finished in second place with the silver medal after a five-set defeat by Team Guatemala in the XIX Under 21 (U-21) Central American Women’s Volleyball Championship on Saturday, July 16th. The tournament included teams from other Central American countries (Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador), excluding Panama and Costa Rica. It was held from July 12th through the 16th at the Belize City Civic Center in Belize City.
Games were held daily, with Team Belize going against Guatemala for the championship on Saturday. The Civic Center was packed with Belizean fans supporting the home team. Captain Sofia Solano led the Belizean squad under the guidance of Cuban coach Jose Fontes. Team Guatemala started with a lead, winning the first set 19-25. The Belizean team returned and won the second and third sets against Guatemala 25-20.
Team Guatemala, however, snatched the fourth and final set 19-25 and 11-15, respectively, winning the U-21 Central American Female Volleyball Championship. Honduras finished placing third place and Nicaragua in fourth place, followed by El Salvador.
Individual awards and medals
The Best Spiker and Best Receiver of the tournament were Belizean Fatoumata Camara. Iman Safa was recognized as Best Setter, while Gareth Bruce was awarded second place for Best Spiker. Captain Sofia Solano was awarded the Best Libero. This position in indoor volleyball refers to a back-row defensive specialist. The Most Valuable Player of the championship was Guatemalan Naomy Money.
Another Guatemalan player awarded the First Best Blocker award went to Sofia Ibarra. Second place in this category was Andrea Mendizabal. Best Server and Best Scorer awards went to Maria Santa Cruz, and Best Opposite was Ivana Sopegno.
The San Pedro Sun joins all Belizean in congratulating our national female volleyball team for a job well done!
