Dominicans win friendly match against Toa Baja

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 4, 2019 – The Dominican Republic National Team defeated the Llaneras of Toa Baja in a exhibition match ahead of the Women’s Volleyball Caribbean Series starting on Friday at Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

The Dominicans won by scores of 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22 behind the offensive output of Gaila Gonzalez, Prisilla Rivera and Bethania de la Cruz who had 12, 10 and 9 points, respectively.

Genesis Collazo had a match-high 17 points for Toa Baja while Kanisha Jimenez and Dulce Tellez finished with 13 and 8 points, respectively.

The first edition of the Caribbean Series will be played between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and it is planned to be contested on the early days of January of each year. The idea is to expand it to four teams in the future, said Cristobal Marte, president of NORCECA.

Before the exhibition match, the Consul of the Dominican Republic in Puerto Rico, Franklin Grullon welcomed the “Reinas del Caribe” and presented the team with a Dominican flag before the start of the Series.

Grullon was accompanied by Adalberto Bejarán, Director of the Dominican Institute in Puerto Rico, the Mayor of Toa Baja, Bernardo Márquez and the manager of the Llaneras, Marcos Martinez.