Posted: Monday, October 14, 2024. 12:08 pm CST.
Belizean Kaelen Ingram, 18, attacks Costa Rica on Saturday, October 12, 2024. – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize Men’s National Volleyball Team may have stumbled with their 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-14) loss to Guatemala on Sunday, October 13, in the 20th Under 21 Central American AFECAVOL Men’s Volleyball Championship in Panama. However, opposite hitter Kaelen Ingram believes the team can still aspire to win the gold medal.
“It’s a loss, but it’s not over for us in terms of the gold,” Ingram told AFECAVOL after Sunday’s defeat to Guatemala.
To keep their gold medal dreams alive, Belize (2-1) must beat second-place Panama (2-0), who are 3-0, on Monday night at 7:00 pm and hope leaders Guatemala (3-0) falter in their remaining games against Costa Rica, Panama, or Nicaragua.
“We’re going to come out strong again and give a good competition as we always plan to do,” Ingram stated.
“It really comes down to who wants it more,” Ingram said about the game against Guatemala.
“We wanted to win, but you have to stick to the plan, and that’s what Guatemala did—they were more consistent. Guatemala are a very good team.”
The loss at the Papa Francisco Gymnasium in Chitré, Panama, dropped Belize to 2-1, but the team remain in third place with eight points, behind Guatemala (3-0) with 15 points and Panama (2-0) with nine points.
To beat Panama, Ingram, who is the lead scorer of the tournament with 72 points, and captain Eleazar Mejia, who is the third-best scorer with 50 points, must perform exceptionally well on Monday night. As Ingram said, the Belize Men’s National Volleyball Team must stick to the plan and remain consistent.
Prior to Sunday, Belize beat Nicaragua 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 29-27) on Friday, October 11, and Costa Rica 3-2 (25-20, 25-20, 17-25, 25-27, 15-13) on Saturday, October 12.
Costa Rica (1-2) are in fourth place with seven points. Nicaragua (1-2) are in fifth place with four points. El Salvador (0-3) follow in sixth place with two points, while Honduras (0-3) are in last place without any points.
The tournament continues on Monday at 2:00 pm with Nicaragua playing Honduras. Costa Rica will face El Salvador at 4:30 pm. The day will close with Belize playing their toughest game when they take on hosts and leaders, Panama, at 7:00 pm.
Belizean Kaelen Ingram, 18, attacks Guatemala on Sunday, October 13, 2024. – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL
Captain Eleazar Mejia, 12, and Kyron Sutherland, 7, defend against Guatemala on Sunday, October 13, 2024. – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL
Preston Smith, 2, Kyron Sutherland, 7, Kaelen Ingram, 18, defend against Guatemala on Sunday, October 13, 2024. – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL
AFECAVOL U-21 Men’s Competition Schedule (Panama and Belize Times)
Friday, October 11
Saturday, October 12
Sunday, October 13
Monday, October 14
Tuesday, October 15
Wednesday, October 16
Thursday, October 17
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