Dominicans win NORCECA classic against Puerto Rico

CALI, Colombia, December 2, 2021.- Dominican Republic won the NORCECA classic to Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-21) at the women’s volleyball tournament of the I Junior Pan American Games at the Evangelista Mora Coliseum.

Dominican Republic earned their first victory in pool B to even their record 1-1 and Puerto Rico has a 0-2 record.

Dominicans force at the net controlled Puerto Rico the whole match, however Puerto Rico had momentum evening up to point 14 in the third set.

Dominican Republic outnumbered Puerto Rico in all the elements of the game, especially in blocks by an overwhelming 14-2 margin, 39-35 in attacks and 4-2 in serves. The winners limited their errors to 13 and benefited from 18 Puerto Rican errors.

Dominican outside hitter Madeline Guillen scored a match-high of 22 points on 17 kills, 3 blocks and one ace, and middle blocker Geraldine Gonzalez contributed with 10 points. Outside hitter and captain Ivania Ortiz led Puerto Rico with 12 points all on kills, joined by outside hitter Valeria Flores with 11 points.

Dominican Republic (1-1) ends the preliminary round on Friday against Brazil (2-0) and Puerto Rico (0-2) faces Peru (1-1).

Camila De La Rosa, captain of Dominican Republic: “The difference from yesterday’s match and today was our attitude; we played united, as a team. We had strength and we hope to continue like that. In the third set we lost focus but we managed the pressure well”.

Ivania Ortíz, captain of Puerto Rico: “We gave our maximum effort in the third set, we played intelligently and did not let the ball fall without effort. Dominican Republic played really well, we weren’t able to block and their offense controlled us”.

Wagner Pacheco, head coach of Dominican Republic: “Today the team was looser; I believe the difference from yesterday was the attitude and the desire to win. Tomorrow we finish pool-play against Brazil, what we need is to play our game”.

Juan Carlos Rodríguez, head coach of Puerto Rico: “The Dominican team has great strength; they have a lot of time together. We pressed, and improved in reception in the third set. Tomorrow we are going for the win”.