Brazil Advances Undefeated to the Semifinals in Asunción 2025

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, August 12, 2025.– Brazil secured its spot in the semifinals of the women’s volleyball tournament at the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025 after defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20) at the Arena COP, closing the group stage as the undefeated leader of Pool B.

Brazil advanced directly to the final four, while the Dominican Republic, which finished third in the pool with a 1-2 record, will compete in the quarterfinals.

The match was marked by intense rallies and hard-fought plays. In the first set, the South Americans took an early lead (11-6) with a balanced attack from Julliana De Andrade “Juju,” Jaqueline Schmitz, and Maria De Moura, staying ahead throughout to close the set comfortably.

In the second set, the Dominican Republic erased a five-point deficit to tie at 11-11 thanks to the offense of Alondra Tapia and the net defense of Katielle Alonzo. However, after a series of unforced errors, Brazil regained control (18-13), though the Caribbean side tied again at 21. A block by Juju against Alonzo brought Brazil to set point, but Alonzo answered with a block of her own. In the end, Schmitz sealed the set with a spike from position two.

The third set went to the Dominican Republic, which led from start to finish, dominating in blocking (7-4) and service (4-2), overcoming Brazil’s resistance despite the South Americans saving four set points.

In the fourth set, Brazil once again took the initiative (13-7) and never relinquished the lead, sealing the 25-19 victory with a powerful attack by Stephany Gomes from zone four.

Brazil outperformed in attacks (51-43) and service aces (10-6), while the Dominican Republic led in blocking (18-11). The South Americans committed 18 unforced errors and benefited from 25 by the Dominican side.

Juju led Brazil’s scoring with 18 points (8 attacks, 5 blocks, 5 aces), followed by Jaqueline Schmitz and Maria De Moura with 12 each. Stephany Gomes and Ana Luiza Rüdiger added 10 apiece. For the Dominican Republic, Alondra Tapia was the match’s top scorer with 22 points (17 attacks, 3 blocks, 2 aces), followed by Alonzo with 16 and Selanny Puente with a match-high of 6 blocks.

Brazil’s head coach Marcos Pinheiro remarked: “We won a very tough match. We knew the Dominican Republic is a very strong team, with tall players who play well both offensively and defensively. We stayed calm to execute what we had studied before the game. We’re happy to reach the semifinals ahead of schedule.”

For her part, Katielle Alonzo praised her team’s effort: “We gave it our all. It was an exciting match, and we had fun. We are fierce competitors and when provoked, we respond with competitive and fair execution. I think we made too many mistakes, had too many net touches, and didn’t block as much as we should have.”