Dominicans settle for fourth place at U23

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, September 17, 2017 - Bulgaria outclassed the Dominican Republic 4-2 (12-15, 15-8, 15-11, 16-18, 15-11, 15-9) to earn the bronze medal of the 2017 FIVB Women's U23 World Championship here on Sunday at Arena Stozice.

With 16 points from Silvana Chausheva, 15 from Gergana Dimitrova and 13 from Miroslava Paskova, plus a wonderful performance from libero Zhana Todorova, Bulgaria proved no match on the net for the Dominicans, who relied too much on Gaila Gonzalez to bring in the points (18 in total for top scorer of the game).

It is Bulgaria's best finish in the history of the competition after 7th place two years ago in Ankara.

It is also the first time that the Dominican Republic fail to make the podium, after silver in 2013 and bronze in 2015.

Brazil took revenge on Cuba for their unexpected pool loss by thundering past Cuba in straight sets (15-12, 15-6, 15-8, 15-13) to capture the fifth position.

Middle blocker Mayany scored ten points for the winner side, including two block kills and two aces. Captain Drussyla added nine kills for Brazil. Heidy Casanova – once more – finished on match-high 13 points for Cuba.