Dominican Republic One Win Away from Making

History at the Central American and Caribbean Games

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, August 6, 2026. – The Dominican Republic moved one victory away from making history at the Central American and Caribbean Games after defeating Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 28-26) in the women’s volleyball semifinals of the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026.

The Dominicans will face Colombia in the gold medal match, marking only the second time in Games history that the two countries will meet in the final. A victory would give the Dominican Republic its seventh consecutive title and ninth women’s volleyball gold medal, allowing it to surpass Cuba as the country with the most championships in tournament history.

Puerto Rico will face Cuba for the bronze medal and will seek its third podium finish in Games history after previously earning bronze in 2006 and 2018.

The Dominican Republic took control of the first set after an even start. Puerto Rico stayed close for much of the set, but the hosts pulled away in the closing stages and finished it 25-21.

The Dominican advantage was more pronounced in the second set. The Dominican Republic opened with a 5-0 lead and used pressure from the service line and strength at the net to gradually widen the gap. Puerto Rico tried to respond, but the Dominicans remained in control and took the set 25-15.

Puerto Rico delivered its best performance in the third set and put the defending champions under pressure. After a tightly contested battle, the Puerto Ricans had opportunities to extend the match when they moved ahead 25-24 and again 26-25. The Dominican Republic responded in the decisive moments, tied the score and won three consecutive points to close the set 28-26, with an ace from team captain Brayelin Martínez sealing the team’s place in the final.

Yonkaira Peña led the Dominican offense with 18 points, while Brayelin Martínez and Gaila González added 12 points each. Decelise Champion was Puerto Rico’s leading scorer with 8 points.

The Dominican Republic held significant advantage in attacks, 43-30, and blocks, 14-2, while both teams recorded two aces. Puerto Rico limited its errors to 19, compared with 28 by the Dominican Republic.

Marcos Kwiek, head coach of the Dominican Republic: “We are past this match now. We played poorly in the third set, and I believe we made too many mistakes. Everything had been coordinated and planned, but that is part of the game and part of the pressure. Tomorrow is a new page. We are going to study Colombia and prepare to face them.”

Decelise Champion of Puerto Rico: “It was a very good match. We could not close it the way we wanted. In the end, the small details decided the match,  especially the third set. We have to understand that this match is over and focus on winning the bronze medal.”