Dominican Republic to semifinal after win over Nicaragua

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, August 30, 2018 - Dominican Republic claimed a 3-0 (25-6, 25-11, 25-16) victory over Nicaragua, advancing to the semi-final where it will face the United States, first place in group B.

The captain of Dominicana, Geraldine Gonzalez scored 16 points and Flormarie Heredia finished with 11, to take her team to another semifinal, her sixth consecutive, of which it has won the last three. María Belén Arcía scored eight points for Nicaragua outscored in attacks 39-13, blocking 12-3 and service 5-3.

The Dominican Republic and the United States have met five times in finals, three of which won by the North American team and two by the Caribbean, which are the two consecutive titles they won in 2014 and 2016.

Gonzalez, captain of Dominican team said that "the United States is a very strong team, we respect each other very much. I trust that we will give one hundred percent to win and be in the final".

"Today we relaxed a bit, the Nicaraguan girls played well, but we controlled the whole game”.

Alexandre Ceccato, Dominican coach: "Yesterday we came away with a defeat, but today we made a better game. We took the opportunity to do some tests with players, thinking about the game we will have against the United States, which we will try to play in the best way. "

María Belén Arcia, captain of Nicaragua: "We went out to play relaxed, without pressure, since they are a great team. I think we played good after losing the first set for a long time, it affected our nerves, seeing higher and stronger players. In the second we are encouraged and we think about the next game we have against Costa Rica. "

Claudia Noguera, coach of Nicaragua: "For them it represents a good experience to play against teams of that level, that realize that with training and effort you can compete against them".