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RENO, USA (Aug. 14, 2015)
– Dominican Republic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Pan
American Cup with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-19 win over Puerto Rico on
Friday at the Reno Events Center.
Dominican Republic (1-2) will play in one quarterfinal on
Saturday. Puerto Rico (0-3) will play for 5th-8th
place starting on Sunday.
Dominican Republic found its consistency and played a solid
match, leading in blocks (14-4) and scoring on 23 Puerto Rico
errors while committing only 14. Puerto Rico led in spikes
(42-37), but had a hitting efficiency of .198 as compared to
.405 for Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico also led in aces (3-1),
but had 12 service errors.
Dominican Republic outside hitter Luis Adames led all scorers
with 17 points on a match-high 14 spikes, two blocks and one
ace. Middle blocker Mario Frias added 12 points on seven spikes
and a match-high five blocks.
Puerto Rico outside hitter Jackson Rivera led his team with 12
points on 20 spikes and a match-high two aces.
Dominican Republic led 19-16 in the first set before Puerto Rico
came back to tie the score at 22-22. Adames responded with a
spike followed by a Dominican block and Puerto Rican hitting
error to give the Dominican the win.
The second set was again tied at 22-22 when the Dominican
Republic scored twice to reach set point. Puerto Rico argued a
call and was issued a red card after receiving a yellow card
earlier. Dominican Republic got the point and won the set.
Puerto Rico struggled to regain its composure in the third set
and fell behind 19-13 before losing 25-19.
Dominican Republic Coach Jose Alvarez Cutino
“Today we came to play the way we were supposed to. We’re
finally reaching our peak after our third match and each match
we’ve been playing better than the first one. We didn’t serve
well but in all other aspects we were good. I’m very happy with
the way we performed.”
Puerto Rico Coach Abdell Otero
“We fought in the beginning of the sets but today we were not
tough mentally. They want to win but we’re not doing it as a
team. We
just have to keep pushing.”
Dominican Republic Captain Jonathan Mercedes
“I’m very happy that we’re clicking now,” “The coaches are
putting everything together and we’re making it click.” |
