Dominicans top Pool B to move into NORCECA U20 semifinals

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, June 20, 2018.- Defending champions of Dominican Republic topped pool B prevailing to Mexico 3-1 (26-24, 19-25, 25-22, 25-20) to move into the NORCECA U20 Women’s Championship semifinals on Friday.

Dominican Republic finished pool-play performing a demanding and tough match to hosts Mexico who settles in second place in pool B. Mexico will play in Thursday’s quarterfinals against Puerto Rico.

The match started late due to a rain delay. Set one was a point party with both teams moving fast to reach a thrilling 26-24 win for Dominican Republic. Mexico’s blocking was right on the spot to detain Dominicans power and benefiting from their numerous errors in set two. Sets three and four were highly demanding, but Mexico’s energy failed while Dominican Republic scored easily.

Dominican Republic prevailed with 52-49 advantage in kills and a slim 8-7 margin in blocking. Mexico was better in serves 5-3. Both committed similar amount of unforced errors, Dominican Republic 30 and Mexico 32.

Uxue Guereca of Mexico impressive 29 points weren’t enough to take her team into semifinals. Teammates Grecia Castro and Melanie Parra added 11 and 10 points respectively. Dominican Natalia Martinez topped with 23 points, Erika Asencio scored 13 points, and Sthefany Gonzalez and Yanilis Feliz chipped in with 11 points apiece.

Erika Asencio wing spiker of Dominican Republic: “We were well coordinate despite Mexico’s complicated game. We kept calm, followed our coaches’ instructions who demands our best and we have the responsibility to respond. We are determined to beat all our next opponents and reach the final to defend our title”.

Wagner Pacheco head coach of Dominican Republic: “It was a difficult match, it wasn’t easy facing Mexico. Uxue is an outstanding player, her strength is impressive, and she was difficult to stop. We had a slow beginning; it was hard to get into rhythm because of the rain delay which also affected the other team. Now we need to rest and practice tomorrow; we will probably face Cuba in semifinals, if so, it will be a great match”.

Uxue Guereca captain of Mexico: “We feel good, we really put up a fight against Dominican Republic, and we are satisfied buy a little disappointed for our loss. We were hoping to win. For tomorrow’s match against Puerto Rico we feel optimistic and hope for the fans support. Mexico needs to be more consistent and we are motivated to reach the semifinals”.

Luis Alberto León head coach Mexico: “Both teams started off well, we should have won the first set, we recovered well in the second set, and in the third we couldn’t close, we didn’t know how to finish, we weren’t solid enough. To improve we need to practice more, more preparation matches, coming into a competition without preparation costs you 1 or 2 points that decide matches. Tomorrow it will be totally different match, Puerto Rico doesn’t have Dominican Republic’s height, strength or physical conditions like Dominican Republic, but they manage to control the ball, they are more skillful, they defend better, so it will be an interesting match”.