Dominicana starts with victory against Costa Rica

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras. August 27, 2018 – two-time defending champions Dominican Republic won 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-13) over Costa Rica, on the first day of the Norceca U-18 Female Volleyball Championship.

Dominican was superior to Costa Rica, with advantage in attacks (30-20), blocking (7-2) and in service (7-3), conceding 15 points on unforced errors to 30 of the opponent.

Flomarie Heredia with 12 points was the top scorer for the Dominicans, with Romina Cornelio getting 10 points. Fr Costa Rica, Pamela Padilla finished with nine points.

Geraldine Gonzalez, captain of the Dominican Republic: "It's a good start, it was not an easy game, we respect all the teams as there are no easy ones. We had a pretty strong group”.

"Being a captain for the first time is too good, the coach trusts me and my teammates are very young, it is the first official competition, we are trying to adapt. Our pool rivals (Cuba and Canada) are very strong, although it is the first time they are in this category. "

"We are fighting to get the tri-championship, it's too beautiful to be seen as two champions, but we want the third title."

Alexandre Ceccato, Dominican coach: "We have a young team, with little experience and Costa Rica demanded us with the service, put us to the test".

"The first game is always difficult, but we can’t ask the girls anymore. Now we have to play better because the two teams to come are very hard, both are very difficult, but we are going to try them ".

Pamela Padilla, captain of Costa Rica: "We feel very proud, because it is the first NORCECA for us, we gave it all on the field. I'm very happy with all my teammates because we played super well, we had a great team in front of us. "

Sandra Umaña, coach of Costa Rica: "I think we could have a better score, we knew that we had an excellent team in front of us, but we started making many mistakes, they went into lack of concentration.

"The game was for more, for a better score from us. This is part of their growth, of the experience that is trying to achieve in this event."