The Volleyball Golden Girls Strike Again

Belize’s golden girls have done it again. From under-21 champions in 2024 to now dominating the under-23 category, Team Belize is officially the powerhouse of Central American women’s volleyball. On Thursday night, the Civic Center was electric as our national team faced off against Guatemala for the gold, and let’s just say, they didn’t disappoint. With a stadium full of passionate fans cheering them on, Belize sealed another historic win. News Five’s Paul Lopez was courtside for all the action and filed the following report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belize’s U-23 women’s volleyball team struck gold in front of a sold-out Civic Center. Fans lined up early, some paying double, or even quadruple, for tickets just to witness the showdown against Guatemala. Inside, the energy was electric. Belizean flags waved, the crowd roared with every point, and Team Belize delivered a dominant four-set win to claim the Central American championship. National pride was on full display as the golden girls made history once again.

Voice of: Game Announcer

“MVP of the tournament, number twelve from Belize Kaya Gordon.”

 

Kaya Gordon, M.V.P., Central America Volleyball Championship

“I am proud, I am a proud Belizean. I have been working hard on my shoulder, trying to strengthen my shoulder and I am just proud, proud of my teammates and that I get to represent Belize and do something great for Belize.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What did you understand coming into this tournament was your role?”

 

Kaya Gordon

“To lead and also to be  one of the teammates to uplift my team and also to give my team grace.”

 

But winning two gold medals in consecutive Central American tournaments did not come overnight. Coach Lupita Quan has been one of the driving forces behind developing the team over the years. She has witnessed disappointing and heartbreaking losses, all culminating in this point. Belize is the most dominant team in the region in women’s volleyball.

 

Lupita Quan, Coach, National Women’s Volleyball Team

“It is a really proud moment for us, because it shows that we did not just do it once, but we are able to repeat it. It shows consistency. This is a real program in the making and that the girls are there in it all the time. And we are not just one and done.”

 

Paul Lopez

“I think a lot of countries want to know, what is the secret?”

 

Lupita Quan

“Well first of all, you have to seek out the players who really have the ability to play, regardless of economic circumstance and I think that is what really holds us from a lot of other countries. Anybody that can play and is willing to play can afford to play. It is not paid for. It is something that is open to every once you have the ability and the will to do it.”

 

One of the driving forces behind Team Belize’s golden run is Gareth ‘Mighty Mouse’ Bruce. Small in stature but huge in heart, Bruce has captained her team to not one, but two championship titles. On Thursday night, as the crowd roared and gold medals were draped around their necks, Bruce took a moment to reflect, not just on the win, but on the tough losses that came before it. From heartbreak to history, she’s led with grit, grace, and a whole lot of fight.

 

Gareth Bruce, Captain, National Women’s Volleyball Team

“We are a very confident team. We had to tell our teammates that we need to stay confident. But we are very confident and positive in our preparation and coaches and we trust in each other and that is what made us successful.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Two gold years, back to back, you really have to look at this moment and embrace it don’t you?”

 

Gareth Bruce

“Yeah, Belize is a small country and we are a small team. Like I said before we have been losing before we started winning and right now as a team, if they were here before taking the loses or here now taking the wins, we got to appreciate. We have grown a lot as a country, a lot as a program and a lot as a team.”

Kaya Gordon also received an individual award for best attacker, while Nisaan Martinez received an individual award for Best Opposite.

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez