Belize win 6 individual awards at Central American U17 Women’s Championship

Belize’s Dasialynn Thurton, Akili Jones, and Emaun Marin won six awards altogether at the Central American U17 Women’s Championship in Nicaragua – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belize not only clinched the bronze medal at the first-ever Central American U17 Women’s Championship in Managua, Nicaragua, but also captured six of 12 individual awards – more than any of the other countries.

Akili Jones led Belize with three awards: Best Server, Best Scorer, and 2nd Best Attacker. Emaun Marin captured the Best Attacker title, and libero Dasialynn Thurton claimed the Best Libero and Best Defender trophies.

Belize’s Akili Jones won the Best Server, Best Scorer, and 2^nd Best Attacker awards – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

Amanda Campos of undefeated champions Costa Rica was voted Most Valuable Player. Costa Rica’s Nadia Granados was the Best Setter, and Charlotte Martínez won the 2nd Best Blocker.

Belize’s Dasialynn Thurton won the Best Libero and Best Defender awards- Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

Fourth-place Guatemala claimed two awards. Melissa Guerra was the Best Opposite, and Harumi Monney was the Best Receiver.

Subchampions Nicaragua got one award. María Ebanks earned the Best Blocker award.

Belize’s Emaun Marin won the Best Attacker award- Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

Costa Rica, who beat Honduras 3-1 (25-15, 25-20, 20-25, 25-16) in their final game on Saturday, won the championship undefeated with a 5-0 record and 21 points.

Nicaragua beat Guatemala 3-1 (25-18, 15-25, 25-14, 25-17) and finished second with a 4-1 record and 19 points.

Belize captured third place after beating El Salvador 3-0 (25-19, 25-8, 25-22), finishing with a 3-2 record and 14 points.

All individual award winners, l-r, Akili Jones (BZE), Harumi Monney (GUA), Nadia Granados (CRC), Emaun Marin (BZE), Amanda Campos (CRC), María Ebanks (NIC), Charlotte Martínez (CRC), Dasialynn Thurton (BZE), Melissa Guerra (GUA) – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

Guatemala had to settle for fourth place after the 3-1 loss to Nicaragua, finishing with a 2-3 record and 13 points.

El Salvador were fifth with four points from a 1-4 record.

Honduras also finished with four points, but their 0-5 record placed them sixth.

AFECAVOL said all matches will be broadcast live on NicaSports en YouTube.

Team Belize won third place and six individual awards at Central American U17 Women’s Championship on Saturday, September 28 – Photo Credit: AFECAVOL

U-17 Belize National Team – Back Row (L-R): Jaycee Usher, Rhea Tsai, Amayah Lino, Faia Reshetina, Nathalie Popper, A’Shae Parks, Emaun Marin, Akili Jones, Jamielee Espejo; Front Row (L-R): Sara Safa, Dasialynn Thurton, Miley Armstrong, Hannah Auil, Abigail Sharp – (Photo Credit: Belize Volleyball) 

Belize’s Match Schedule:

September 24

• 1:30 pm: Costa Rica 3-0 Belize (25-14, 25-16, 25-23)

September 25

• 1:30 pm: Belize 3-1 Guatemala (25-17, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21)

September 26

• 6:30 pm: Nicaragua 3-1 Belize (26-24, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21)

September 27

• 4:00 pm: Belize 3-1 Honduras (25-12, 25-17, 18-25, 25-14) 

September 28

• 1:30 pm: Belize 3-0 El Salvador (25-19, 25-8, 25-22)

Full schedule

September 24

1:30 pm              Costa Rica 3-0 Belize (25-14, 25-16, 25-23)

4:00 pm              Guatemala 3-0 Honduras (25-22, 25-20, 25-21)

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-0 El Salvador (25-12, 25-09, 25-19)

September 25

1:30 pm              Belize 3-1 Guatemala (25-17, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21

4:00 pm              Costa Rica 3-0 El Salvador (25-13, 25-19, 25-19).

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-1 Honduras (25-6, 17-25, 25-11, 25-15).

September 26

1:30 pm              Costa Rica 3-1 Guatemala (25-17, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23) 

4:00 pm              El Salvador 3-1 Honduras (22-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-23)

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-1 Belize (26-24, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21)

September 27

1:30 pm              Guatemala 3-0 El Salvador (25-18, 25-14, 25-20) 

4:00 pm              Belize 3-1 Honduras (25-12, 25-17, 18-25, 25-14) 

6:30 pm              Costa Rica 3-2 Nicaragua (25-22, 19-25, 18-25, 26-24, 15-9) 

September 28

1:30 pm              Belize 3-0 El Salvador (25-19, 25-8, 25-22)

4:00 pm              Costa Rica 3-1 Honduras (25-15, 25-20, 20-25, 25-16)

6:30 pm              Nicaragua 3-1 Guatemala (25-18, 15-25, 25-14, 25-17)