Dominican Republic Dominates Canada with Blocking

LEÓN, Mexico, August 22, 2024. - The Dominican Republic dominated Canada with a significant advantage in blocking (10-4) for a 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-17) victory in the XXI Women's Senior Pan American Volleyball Cup in León, Guanajuato. 

The Dominican Republic finished Pool A with a 4-1 record and is awaiting the result between Colombia and Mexico to determine its final position, but they have guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals. Canada, with a 2-3 record, will play in the matches for positions 7 to 10, starting against Cuba. 

In addition to outblocking Canada, the Dominicans held advantage in attacks (38-34). Both teams scored 4 service points, and the Dominican Republic committed fewer unforced errors (12-23). 

Dominican outside hitter Yonkaira Peña scored 16 points, all from kills. Middle blocker Candida Arias contributed 11 points, including a match-high of 6 blocks. 

Opposite hitter Lucy Borowski scored 10 points for Canada. 

The Dominican Republic's blocking was key to taking the first set by a wide margin, with five different players scoring five blocking points. After a tie at 11 points in the second set, Canada jumped to a four-point lead (17-13) thanks to effective block-attacks from Abagayle Guezen and attacks from Avery Heppell. The Dominicans were well organized to recover, forcing Canada into errors, and eventually, Yonkaira Peña put the team ahead. However, the teams tied again at 22 and 23 points until a Canadian serving error and then a service ace from Samaret Caraballo decided the set. In the third and final set, the Dominican Republic kept the lead, and just like the previous set, Caraballo won the match with an effective serve. 

Marcos Kwiek, head coach of the Dominican Republic: “We did what was necessary to secure the victory in three sets. The team has been improving with each match. Today we played at a good level against a strong opponent. We need to keep improving. We will likely play a quarterfinal match. One game at a time”.

Shannon Winzer, head coach of Canada: “I think there’s some big differences between Dominican and us. We asked our hitters to hit high and try to fight hands and the errors we were making were in line with that. Dominican is such a physical team, and we were trying to play against that. Where am I more frustrating? As soon as we get to the end of the game, we become undisciplined; and that’s the difference between playing in the senior A game and not, you have to play disciplined whether it’s in the first ten points or last five points, I think that’s where our problem is now”.