USA and Dominican Republic share the lead at NORCECA U-18

GAINESVILLE, Florida, July 27, 2006.- USA and Dominican Republic share the top of the standings with unbeaten records after three days of play in the U-18 NORCECA Girls Youth Continental Championship held at the O’Connell Center on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville.

On Thursday action, USA defeated Puerto Rico in straight sets, Dominican Republic beat Canada in four sets and Mexico blanked Honduras. The Americans and Dominicans are seated on the top of the rankings with 3-0 win-loss records while Canada fell to 2-1 mark. Mexico is 1-2 and Honduras and Puerto Rico are in the cellar with 0-3.

The Americans won by score of 25-13, 25-14, 25-12 and the Dominicans had to battle against Canada prevailing by score of 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 25-21. In the first match of the day Mexico crushed Honduras 25-6, 25-14, 25-12.

Tarah Murrey sparked the U.S. with 17 points, Alexandra Hunt added 10 points, Kanani Herring turned in 9 points and Rachael Adams added 7. Kendall Bateman handed out 29 assists with three aces as Team USA hit 49 percent as a team.

“It really was an awesome performance by our team today in every aspect of the game,” Team USA Head Coach Shelton Collier said. “I was especially proud of Kendall Bateman. She was very good tonight. “We really stepped it up several levels tonight, which was great to see.”

“Everything really clicked tonight,” Bateman said. “We had a lot of energy, passed well and all of our hitters had great matches.”

Meanwhile, Elisa Eve paced the The Dominican Republic with 16 points, which included nine blocks, in the victory over Canada. Jeoselyna Rodriguez added 15 points, Dharlenis Marte supported the attack with 11 points, and Yorkina Binet and Yenifer Calcano contributed seven apiece.

Shanice Marcelle led Canada with 11 points, Becky Pavan chalked up 10, and Kelci French contributed five blocks and two aces as part of an eight-point night from her setter’s position.

Mexico won for the first time in the tournament helped by 12 points from Karla Alonso and 11 points apiece by Xitlali Corrujedo and Ana Rios. Carolina Carranza and Lorena Sanchez turned in 10 points each for Mexico. Karla Ponce paced Honduras with nine points.