26/07/2025
๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ง ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐งโ๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ
Belize is still savoring the historic victory Thursday night of the U23 national team in the Afecavol Central American Womenโs Volleyball championship. The Belize City Civic Center was ram jam packed as thousands of Belizeans went out to support team Belize. As requested, it was mostly a sea of white in the bleachers as fans expressed their support for the national team, wearing their white uniforms. In the first match of the night, El Salvador faced off against Honduras with Honduras winning in straight sets, giving them a third-place finish in the tournament.
Then it was the turn of consummate rivals, Belize and Guatemala, to take to the court, as fans sat on the edge of their seats. Belizeans always come out when our players are facing Guatemalan teams, but Thursday night was super electric, as Team Belize was undefeated. Belize came out swinging, crushing the first set 25-9 and sealing the second with a score of 25-15. The third set was the most dramatic with the lead see-sawing between both teams. Guatemala surged ahead in the final stretch, and Belize could not close the gap. Guatemala took the set 25-21. But the fourth set proved decisive, as team Belize stormed to an early lead and never looked back, sealing the championship with a commanding 25-10 finish.
Belizeans erupted in celebration as Nissan Martinez delivered the attack that scored the winning point. Players received individual awards at the end of the night with Khaya Gordon named the MVP and the best attacker and Nissan Martinez named best opposite. Allan Sharp, President of the Belize Volleyball Association spoke about the teamโs performance. Sharp also explained how preparation makes a difference. He also hailed the individual performance of Khaya Gordon.
Unfortunately, some fans who had gotten dressed and made their way to the Civic to show their support, were unable to make it inside as the match had sold out since 5 p.m. Despite their disappointment, many decided to wait outside in a show of solidarity.
Anchor: Drea Espinosa
Reporter: Alexie Belisle
Video Editor: Jaydie McKenzie