Dominicans Finish Pool Play Unbeaten

and Advance to NORCECA U17 Semifinals

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 6, 2025. – The Dominican Republic defeated host nation Costa Rica 3-1 (25-20, 25-13, 23-25, 25-11) to close pool play undefeated and advance directly to the semifinals of the 2025 NORCECA Girls’ U17 Continental Championship at Gimnasio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica.

By winning one set, the Dominican Republic secured first place in Pool A, while Canada finished second and Costa Rica third. In Friday’s quarterfinals, Canada will face Puerto Rico and Costa Rica will meet Mexico.

The Dominican team displayed superiority in every skill category: attacks (56-24), blocks (11-8), and serves (11-7). Costa Rica, however, committed fewer errors (20 to 30).

Rayni Mondesi led all scorers with a tournament-high 29 points (23 kills, 4 blocks, 2 aces), powering the Dominican Republic to victory. Outside hitter Leandry Almonte followed with 24 points (19 kills, 2 blocks, 3 aces), and Shanty Pérez added 10 points. Esmeralda Ugalde topped Costa Rica with 11 points (5 kills, 4 blocks, 2 aces).

The opening set was fast and dynamic, featuring several ties between Costa Rica’s Charlotte Martínez and Dominican star Mondesi. With Costa Rica ahead 17-15, Martínez suffered an injury after a bad fall at the net, which shifted momentum. The Dominicans capitalized with key blocks from Jarolín Durán and Mondesi to take control and secure the first set.

In the second set, the Dominicans quickly built a 5-2 lead behind Mondesi’s dominant play. Costa Rica fought back through Ugalde and Luciana Vargas but couldn’t close the gap as Shanty Pérez and Almonte led the Dominicans to a comfortable win.

Costa Rica responded in the third, rallying from behind to edge the Dominicans. After trailing 9-13, the hosts tied the score at 14 with a strong attack from Victoria Cobeña and service points from Sofía Quesada. Despite the Dominicans’ comeback to 23-23, Valentina Ramírez’s service ace sealed the set for Costa Rica, forcing a fourth.

In the final set, the Dominicans jumped to a 10-5 lead and never looked back. Almonte dominated at the net, while Mondesi continued her all-around brilliance. Their combined firepower led to a decisive finish, with Mondesi delivering the final kill for the victory.

With the win, the Dominican Republic remains one of the favorites to reach the gold medal match as the championship heads into its decisive phase.

Leandry Almonte, referring to the set they lost, said: “We lost a bit of focus, and our communication wasn’t the best. I liked that in the end we were able to react, and with our powerful attack, we managed to pull off the victory. We’re already in the semifinals, and that was one of our goals.”

Meanwhile, Costa Rican libero Emma Céspedes said: “In the third set we came in with more energy; we didn’t want to lose the match. Yesterday things didn’t go our way, but today our attitude was different. For the next round we’re motivated, today we turn the page and go all out.”