The United States needed five sets to beat Guatemala 3-2 (24-26, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10) in the opening match of the NORCECA Men’s Championship at the Auditorio del Pueblo in Durango, Mexico.
William Rottman was the game top scorer with 21 points and opposite Jake Hanes added 20 for USA.
Carlos Chacón and opposite José Carrillo were Guatemala top scorers with 16 points each.
Joshua Tuaniga, Captain of United States: “Things weren’t going well for us, we weren’t able to put pressure with our serves, missing a lot of them and blocking opportunities as well. Guatemala played really good volleyball all around, I was glad to be able to play this kind of volleyball at the beginning of the tournament, kudos for Guatemala and shout out to the guys for really staying in and pushing through”.
Carlos López, Captain of Guatemala: “We are really exciting for our performance against such a great team like the United States, we had nothing to lose and a lot to win and we did, this motivates us for our next matches. We had miscommunication, we need to adjust that”.
USA – Guatemala 3-2 (24-26, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10)
USA: Olivier Spencer, Gianni Camden, Kobrine Samuel, Rottman Wlliam, Mitchem Tyler, Hanes Jake, Wlldman Brett, McHenry Merrlck, Penrose Jalen, Tuaniga Joshua, Sendera Keenan, Wlmot Austin, Dagostino Kyle, Briggs Masen, Head Coach: Andy Read (USA)
Guatemala: Lopez Santiago,Menendez Burgos, Ruano Poron, Santa Cruz Molina, Aragon Lopez, Gonzalez Alvarez, Pineda Lopez, Hernéndez de León, Gonzalez Paz, Carrillo Valiente, Salas Faglani, Head Coach: Wlllam Fernandez Pizat (CUB)
