2010 Women’s Central American Cup

  • Panama became the first team qualified to next year’s NORCECA Continental Championship by defeating Guatemala 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 26-24) for its fifth victory without losses at the XVI Women’s Central American Cup on Thursday.


    The winners dominated 15-2 in the blocking department and also had the edge (9-6) in the service category.


    Jenny Madrid and Suany Terreros each recorded five blocks and totaled 13 and 10 points respectively while Katherine Taju added 11. Tiffany Villafranco had 9 points for Guatemala.

    Joanna Arroyo, captain of Panama explained: “The match was competitive enough and it has been our closest victory in the tournament. We knew we needed the victory to qualify to NORCECA.”


    Marie France Burmester, captain of Guatemala, commented: “It was a very tough match since Panama is a team with experience and a very high attack and blocking.”

  • El Salvador defeated Belize 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-22) to keep alive its chances of a bronze medal at the XVI Women’s Central American Cup.


    Andrea Manzur and Adriana Flores topped El Salvador with 14 and 12 points respectively. Shantell Arnold led Belize with 11 points.


    Manzur commented at the end of the match: “We didn’t have good communication and lost the focus at times but we are happy with the victory.”


    Roberta Usher of Belize stated: “We played better than yesterday and had better communication.”

  • Costa Rica breezed past Guatemala with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-11) victory and will meet Panama in the decisive match at the XVI Women’s Central American Cup with both teams already qualified to the NORCECA 2011 Championship.


    Once again Verania Willis and Karen Cope were the top guns of Costa Rica with 15 and 14 points respectively. Susana Alvarado topped the defeated El Salvador with 8 points.


    Verania Willis, captain of Costa Rica commented: “Our service wasn’t good and we made too many mistakes. Guatemala is a good team and they could have played better.”


    MarieFrance Burmester, captain of Guatemala stated: “Lack of concentration and also we have many experienced players with injuries. I congratulate Costa Rica a team that plays very well.”

  • Nicaragua beat Honduras 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-12) and is now one victory away of the bronze medal at the XVI Women’s Central American Cup.


    The victory improved Nicaragua to a 3-2 win-loss record and a victory against El Salvador on Saturday will give them the third place.


    Amalia Hernández led the winning attack with 17 points while Claudia Noguera y and Lollette Rodríguez contributed 14 and 11 respectively. Tessa Flores topped Honduras with 9 points.


    Nicaragua’s coach Rene Quintana stated: “We played against Honduras as if they were our first opponents. We respect all the teams even though we started the schedule playing against the favorites. Honduras has a young team with big future.”


    Flores commented: “It was a tough tournament and we did our best. It was a great experience for our young team.”

  • Guatemala claimed a 3-0 (25-18, 25-6, 25-17) victory over Belize to secure the fourth position at the XVI Central American Women’s Cup.


    Maria Estrada topped Guatemala with 11 points whine Marie Burmester and Ingrid Lopez each contributed 7 points. Belize’s Barbara Cadle had 11 points for the defeated side.


    Lourdes Parellada of Guatemala commented: “This last match was the one we enjoyed the most. We had a group that had not played.”


    Zaire Garbbutt of Belize said: “It was a tough tournament and also the match against Guatemala. We played better during the last set.”

  • Nicaragua defeated El Salvador 3-0 (25-15, 25-15 y 25-21) to win the bronze medal at the XVI Central American Women’s Cup on Saturday.


    Claudia Noguera was the top scorer of Nicaragua with 21 points while Lollette Rodriguez was almost perfect as setter. Adriana Flores topped El Salvador with 10 tallies.


    Noguera, captain of El Salvador commented: “I am very happy with the medal. The tournament was very competitive with all the teams with good level.”


    Gabriela Martinez of El Salvador stated: “Nicaragua plays very quick and we were very anxious playing for the bronze medal. We recovered in the third set but it wasn’t enough.”

  • PANAMA CITY, Panama, December 4, 2010 – Costa Rica claimed its 10th consecutive crown at the XVI Central American Women’s Cup by defeating Panama 3-0 (25-11, 25-21 y 25-10) on Saturday.


    Verania Willis, named the Most Valuable Player, led Costa Rica with 18 points all via spikes. Paola Ramirez added 16, including three blocks and three aces while Karen Cope charted 11. Panama’s Katherine Taju had nine points.


    Willis, captain of Costa Rica, commented: “We had to work very hard to claim this title, and we are happy with the victory. Panama was a good opponent and they showed it during the tournament.”


    Joanna Arroyo, captain of Panama, stated: “We didn’t play our best and started very nervous. Even though we have been playing together for many years this is a new team without experience in these tournaments. We have a good opportunity with our qualification to the 2011 Continental Cup and we are going to train harder.”


    The final positions of the tournament were as follows: Costa Rica (6-0), Panama (5-1), Nicaragua (4-2), Guatemala (3-3), El Salvador (2-4), Honduras (1-5), Belice (0-6).


    Individual awarded players:


    Most Valuable Player: Verania Willis (CRC)


    Best Scorer: Claudia Noguera (NCA)


    Best Spiker: Paola Ramírez (CRC)


    Best Blocker: Jenny Madrid (PAN)


    Best Server: Dionisia Thompson (CRC)


    Best Setter: Dionisia Thompson (CRC)


    Best Digger: Walda Maldonado (GUA)


    Best Receiver: Claudia Noguera (NCA)


    Best Libero: Walda Maldonado (GUA)