Mexico Bounces Back to Beat

Dominican Republic in Four Sets

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco, September 19, 2025. – Mexico bounced back to defeat the Dominican Republic 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-23) in the final match of the preliminary round at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s Final Six in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

With the win, Mexico closed the preliminary phase in second place with a 4-1 record and will face Puerto Rico (third place) in the semifinals. The Dominican Republic, finishing fourth, will face the United States.

The Dominican Republic’s powerful attacking, led by Madeline Guillen, Florangel Terrero, and Alondra Tapia, set the tone early, jumping to a 17-13 lead and taking the opening set 25-21.

The Caribbeans once again led the way in the second set, ahead 16-12, before Mexico rallied. Sofía Maldonado scored two key kills, Aime Topete added a strong swing, and Dominican errors allowed the home team to even the score at 16. Mexico reached set point 24-23 thanks to Melanie Parra’s offense, but the Dominican Republic extended the set with a block from Terrero. A crucial service error from Tapia and a block by Arleth Márquez on Terrero sealed the set for Mexico, tying the match.

In the third set, Mexico held a 24-18 advantage thanks to Topete and Samantha Bricio, but the Dominican Republic fought back with kills from Angélica Hinojosa, Guillen’s attacks, and Samaret Caraballo’s strong serving, closing the gap to just two points. Bricio finally ended the set with a powerful spike off Hinojosa’s block, putting Mexico ahead 2-1.

Mexico kept their composure in the fourth set, building a 20-15 lead. Márquez’s block on Hinojosa gave the hosts a 23-19 edge, but Natalia Martínez’s back-to-back kills kept the Dominican Republic close. Mexico reached match point on a Dominican attack error and secured the victory on a Dominican service error.

Mexico led in attacks (52-47), while the Dominican Republic had the edge in serves (5-4). Both teams scored seven points on blocks. Mexico committed 37 errors compared to the Dominican Republic’s 35.

Aime Topete led Mexico’s scoring with 14 points, followed by Samantha Bricio with 10. Madeline Guillen topped all scorers with 19 points for the Dominican Republic, and Geraldine González added 11 points.

Samantha Bricio of Mexico commented on the game: “Our team has enough talent to make changes in the lineup. Today, three players from the younger categories came in as substitutes and did an amazing job. I think this is the first match where all three of them played with us at the same time. They performed without fear, did their job, as if we had always played together. It worked for us. Now we face Puerto Rico in the semifinals; we need to recover energy and try to do our best. I think in the end it will come down to who wants to win more.”

Marcos Kwiek, Coach of the Dominican Republic, stated: “It was a good match. Both teams had difficulties. We were already qualified for the semifinals with Cuba’s loss, so it was good for other players to get on the court, test some rotations; it was interesting. Tomorrow is what really matters.”