Tonight, for the first time, Belize can hold its head high as the regional champion in women's volleyball.
That's after our under 21 ladies won a commanding victory over Guatemala on Saturday night at the Civic.
And now, 14 young athletes have changed Volleyball history in Belize forever.
Since then they - and the nation - have been in celebratory mode, and today they were championed at an official press conference. Jomarie Lanza was there:
Their lives changed forever on Saturday night and their names will go down in history as the first U21 Women's Central American volleyball team to win Gold for Belize, after a tight five day tournament where the team lost no sets to any of its opponents. With the support of its devoted Belizean fans, Belize surely dominated its home court. The President of the Association says the expectations have always been high since the beginning of the tournament.
Allan Sharp, President, Volleyball Association
"Well you know as I mentioned throughout the week we had very high expectations. We knew we were a strong team especially coming out of the under 23 where we did very well and we played some strong teams but we knew that our team coming from an under 23 we had most of those girls coming from under 21. We also felt that playing at home we also do very well at playing at home. Our fans give great support they do their part and so when Saturday night came we were confident very very confident and we knew that Guatemala always looks at us as an arch rival as well and they were hoping to do very well but our game was peaking we were consistent and I think we played some very high volleyball, technically, tactically and emotionally."
"But of course the highlight is we are very very pleased with the performance of the girls. It was very emotional it was fantastic to have the Belizean patriotism busting out of us and thank you very much for all the support even from the media and getting the world out. We are very grateful for everybody. Gold! Hard work and finally here."
Team captain Gareth Bruce who was awarded best attacker, and Opposite hitter, Nisaan Martinez, awarded tournament MVP spoke to us about the fulfillment of this life long dream of theirs - one they both have been working towards since they were children, and now they've made history.
Gareth Bruce, Captain, U21 National Team
"It's been an emotional weekend an exciting weekend it's been great and amazing to feel how I feel."
"Before the game there were some nerves but I relaxed because I know that we were the more dominant team and we could finish the tournament successfully. So there was no pressure, there was nothing, we were just calm and relaxed through it all."
"It just felt amazing it was always a dream and in 2022 we lost our gold medal match to Guatemala so this just wasn't a revenge match it was more emotional it was more exciting to feel so all the emotions that I showed it was real because it was just my tears of joy it was also tears of excitement."
Nisaan Martinez, Opposite hitter
"Ultimately I know that we had to win two sets to win gold so when I knew that it was just, I was overwhelmed. Everyone was overwhelmed and it's nice to be the first and it's nice to just be a part of a team like this. I mean it is a very enjoyable experience considering how much hard work we put in."
"Ultimately we went to a U23 before this in preparation for this match so we had been preparing for a while and within that time we've gotten to know each other and know how each other play and how to get out of certain circumstances so I mean once again when it came to signing the national anthem and seeing the confetti go up in the air it's a first it's definitely a first time experience and a first time feeling that I can't express but it was amazing."
And the team got validation from a grateful public in a 3 hour motorcade that took them all through the city - as they proudly displayed sports' most coveted color - gold.
As an added bonus, Minister of sports Rodwell Ferguson has secured tickets to the Belize Music And Food Festival for the team.
