Costa Rica and Dominican Republic move to semifinals

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, August 23, 2012 – Costa Rica and Dominican Republic got a bye to the semifinals of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championships as the two best pool winners at the end of the preliminary round.

United States, the other pool winner of the competition, will compete in the quarterfinals of Friday against the teams that finished in second place.

Costa Rica advanced with a perfect 10 points in Pool A after winning their two matches by scores of 3-0. Dominican Republic and United States totaled 9 points in pools B and C respectively but the Dominicans had a better point-ratio (1.587 to 1.470).

In the quarterfinals, Mexico will play Cuba while the United States meet Nicaragua, the second place team with lowest ranking.

In Thursday matches, Costa Rica defeated Nicaragua 3-0 (25-10, 25-23, 25-14), Dominican Republic overcame Mexico 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-16, 27-25), and United States outdueled Cuba 3-1 (19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-16).

Trinidad & Tobago, the highest ranked third placed team, will play the winner between Antigua & Barbuda and Guatemala to determine seventh and eighth places.