Dominicans go to Puerto Rico with World Cup team

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, October 6, 2019 – The large Dominican community resident in Puerto Rico avidly awaits the arrival of “Las Reinas del Caribe” as the women’s volleyball national team of the neighbor Dominican Republic is known by their compatriots.

The Dominican side, fresh from taking part in the FIVB Women’s World Cup where they finished with a positive record of 8-7, is one of the pre-tournament favorites at the NORCECA Continental Championship to be played at Roberto Clemente Coliseum from October 8 to13.

Prolific scorers Brayelin Martínez and Bethania de la Cruz lead the Dominican team composed by the same players that participated in the world event in Japan.

Martínez was the third best scorer of the competition with 197 points while Bethania finished in the ninth position with 148.

De la Cruz was the second best server of the World Cup with 18 aces and Niverka Marte qualified as the second best setter. Libero Larysmer Martínez finished as a close second best with 3.93 digs to 3.95 of the leader.

“We go to Puerto Rico with a team in very good shape that is playing its best volleyball,” said Marcos Kwiek, coach of the Dominican team. “The overall performance of our team in the World Cup was very good and pleased everyone, especially the way we finished winning the last three matches.”

The roster of the Dominican Team is the following:

Outside Hitters: Brayelin Martinez, Bethania de la Cruz, Yonkaira Peña, Prisilla Rivera. Opposites: Gaila Gonzalez, Gina Mambru. Middles: Jineiry Martínez, Lisvel Eve, Annerys Vargas, Candida Arias. Setters: Niverka Marte, Camile Dominguez. Liberos: Larysmer Martínez, Yaneirys Rodríguez.