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TULSA, Oklahoma, USA, July 23, 2022 – Dominican
Republic won a battle with Puerto Rico 3-1
(28-26, 22-25, 25-22, 32-30) to take the bronze
medal at the Girls U19 Pan American Cup at the
Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa.
Both Dominican Republic (4-2) and Puerto Rico
(2-4) qualified for the 2023 FIVB World
Championship.
The teams were very close statistically. They
were tied in attacks 59-59. Dominican Republic
led in blocks 11-7 and Puerto Rico led in aces
12-8. Dominican Republic scored 29 points on
Puerto Rico’s errors while giving up 25.
The match included a third set in which Puerto
Rico held off seven match points before
Dominican Republic won. In the fourth set,
Dominican Republic held match point five times
before winning on the sixth. Puerto Rico held
set point twice.
Dominican Republic outside hitter Katielle
Vargas led all scorers with 30 points on a
match-high 27 attacks, two blocks and one ace.
Dominican middle blocker Selanny Puente had a
match-high four blocks.
Puerto Rico’s opposite Grace Lopez led her team
with 28 points on 24 spikes and a match-high
four aces.
Wagner Pacheco, coach of Dominican Republic: It
was a tough game. We knew it was going to be
this way because there is a great rivalry
between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
We failed a lot, something we hadn't been doing,
but in the end they failed a little more than
us. Happy very happy.
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, coach of Puerto Rico: I
understand that the girls did an excellent job
and we finished the tournament playing very
well. Very pleased and I hope that they
understand the commitment to train with
dedication towards the World Cup. |
