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.”