Dominicans beat Colombia to reach semifinals

HAVANA, Cuba, March 20, 2013. - Dominican Republic scored its second win by defeating Colombia 3-1 (25-10, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23) to secured a place in the semifinal of the U-20 Women’s Pan American Cup at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum on Wednesday.

The Dominicans won with excellent blocking and making the most of the erratic serves wrong of their opponents, who exhibited a good run of attacks, which caused a fruitful match between two teams who are preparing for the World Championship.

Pamela Soriano and Brayelín Martinez were the winning players who scored in double digits with 17 and 14 points respectively while Colombian Danna Escobar (18) was the top scorer of the match, followed by her teammates Maria Martinez (15) and Diana Arrechea (14).

Brazilian Wagner Pacheco, coach of Dominican Republic, said their opponents were able to neutralize some of his players, "but my team was also able to do the same, this rivalry is good. We are focused for the finals and we could meet again soon at the end of the Cup."

His compatriot Mauro Marasciulo, technical director of Colombia, while acknowledging that his girls are just beginning their preparation for the World Championship, said that "to compete against a team with good size like that you can’t lose your services and we must learn how to create problems with the reception.”

Soriano, the Dominican Captain, said "the Colombian when they come from behind and take advantage they can be very difficult, and we were able to overcome them."

Arrechea, the Colombian captain pointed out to the problems they had with the block, “but we must take advantage of all these games because we want to prepare well for the world championship.”