Dominican Republic joins the Tokyo 2020 Parade

 

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, January 12, 2020 – The Dominican Republic´s women volleyball team sealed its ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic following a convincing victory over Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-15) in front of a sellout crowd at the Sports Palace in Santo Domingo.

 

After the opening exchange of the Dominican team opened a comfortable margin and never looked back with a one-way third set.

 

Bethania de la Cruz, selected the MVP of the four-team competition, was at the top of her game with four lightning aces among her 16 points to lead the winners. Brayelin Martínez added 15 and Lisvel Eve contributed 10 points in the victory.

 

Daly Santana and Stephanie Enright topped the Puerto Rican offense with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

 

The Dominicans established a big wall at the net scoring 14 points via blocks against only 3 by the Puerto Ricans. The high number of touched balls defending the net allowed many counterattacks, especially in the second and third sets.

 

For the Dominican Republic it will be their third appearance at the Olympics with the two previous in Athens 2004 and London 2012.

 

Marcos Kwiek, coach of Dominican Republic: “It is a privilege to reach the Olympic Games and doing it for a second time is a feel even better. That’s the best way to crown four years of hard work. Credit to my team of assistants and to the girls who did a tremendous job.”

 

Jose Mieles, coach of Puerto Rico: This was the game we were waiting for, hoping to win it. Unfortunately it couldn’t be done. Otherwise I am happy with the job the girls did, because I know they gave one hundred percent.