Cuba and Dominican Republic engage in friendly series

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 27, 2017 – Cuba and Dominican Republic U20 teams have split the first two matches of the friendly women’s volleyball series taking place in Santo Domingo ahead of the age-group FIVB World Championship in Boca del Rio and Cordoba, Mexico from July 7 to 16.

The Dominican Republic is already qualified to the world event as NORCECA champions while Cuba will be among the teams battling for a single vacancy assigned to the confederation at the Pan American Cup to be held in Costa Rica from May 6 to 14.

The Dominican side won the first match in straight sets 3-0 with Vielka Peralta leading the offense with 17 points, followed by Madeline Guillen, Erika Asencio and Geraldine Gonzalez with 14, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The winners dominated in blocks (8-3) and aces (4-1). They also held the advantage in attacks (53-47).

The Cubans reacted to claim a 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20) in the second contest of the three-match series. A match in the U23 class is also scheduled.

Ailama Cese, Diaris Perez and Heidy Casanova topped the Cuban attack with 18, 17 and 15 points, respectively. Peralta had a match-high 20 points for the Dominican side, followed by Asencio who finished with 15 points in the loss.

Each team scored with 12 aces and 6 blocks while Cuba held the advantage in attacks 52-41.