Dominicans open U23 with victory over Egypt

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, September 10, 2017 – The two-time medalists Dominican Republic persevered against a high-spirited Egypt at Arena Stozice here on Sunday, for a 4-2 (12-15, 15-6, 15-8, 15-12, 15-17, 19-17) win on the opening day of the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Championship.

Egypt had a 7-10 lead in the sixth to take the match all the way and then blew four set points at 11-14 and 14-15, but the Dominican Republic clawed their way back and brought the match home after their third match point on cross-court attack by Jineiry Martinez from the right.

Gaila Gonzalez with 24 was the Dominican Republic's best scorer. Vielka Peralta and Martinez each contributed 16 points.

Aya Elshamy became the second player in the history of the competition to score at least 30 points in a match, despite the new rules. The Egypt opposite bagged exactly 30 to emerge top scorer of the game.

The only other player to reach the 30-point mark was Italy's Valentina Diouf in a 3-2 win over Japan in 2013.

Turkey proved too strong for Cuba in their Pool B opening clash. The Europeans defeated their challengers from Cuba in a hard-fought duel 15-12, 16-14, 17-15, 15-8.

Hande Baladin paced the Turks with eleven points via ten kills on 18 swings and one block. Asli Kalac added eight points for the Turkish side. Cuba was led by Heidy Casanova and her nine points followed by Claudia Sanchez’s eight kills.