Belize Defeats Defending Champions in Volleyball Opener

Belize’s national women’s volleyball team opened its AFECAVOL Women’s Central American Final Four campaign with a 3-1 victory over defending champions Nicaragua on Thursday night in Managua, winning 25-22, 25-22, 17-25 and 26-24.

Fatoumata Camara led Belize with 36 points, while team captain Nelisa Ramírez added 11. Nicaragua’s Britani Forbes was its leading scorer with 17 points, as the hosts sought a third consecutive title in the competition.

Camara also acknowledged that the team still had work to do despite the win. “We have room for improvement, especially when it comes to closing out matches,” she said. “I think we can still improve a lot because we have two important matches remaining.”

The fourth set proved decisive, as Nicaragua fought back after trailing 24-20 to tie the score. Belize held on to win 26-24 and secure the match in four sets.

Head coach Lawrence Bennett said he was relieved the team had secured the victory in four sets, admitting he had expected the match to go the distance.

“It was a very close match. I thought it would go to five sets, but we secured it in four,” Bennett said.

Nicaragua’s head coach, Claudia Noguera, credited Belize’s attacking and blocking while saying her team would work to improve in its remaining matches.

“Belize showed a lot of strength in attacking and blocking. We have to work on improving for our next two matches. We’re still in contention,” Noguera said.

Belize is scheduled to face Costa Rica on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The championship runs through October 18, with the title winner earning a place in the 2027 Women’s Pan American Cup.