Panama dumps Dominica in Group N

ST GEORGE, Grenada, June 22, 2013- Panama put aside the jet lag to dispose of Dominica in an uncomplicated manner3-0 (25-21, 25-10, 25-18) in the opening duel of  Group N of the NORCECA Second Round of the 2014 World Championships on Saturday morning at the Laborie Indoor Facility.

Led by Joanna Arroyo, who registered 15 points and Yokhanny Comrie’s 10 points, roll started Panama’s journey in the group, as they secured five points for the 3-0 win.

No Dominican was able to score double digits, with Lenel Williams being the top scorer, as she registered – 5 points.

Panama also outplayed Dominica in the other departments, winning 13 blocks to Dominica’s 8; Panama had 14 successful receptions to Dominica’s 9.

It was a welcomed triumph for Panama’s head coach- Reynaldo Ortega, who said his team also benefitted from the lack of reception by the Dominicans.

“The major difference though was our high blocking as a team”, Ortega said.

Meanwhile, team captain Joanna Arroyo said she thought they played well as a team on both offence and defence.

A forward looking Arroyo further explained :” We came here with a purpose and this is to win … We were a bit slow at the beginning, but we have a lot more to offer as the tournament progresses”.

But Dominica’s coach, Alfred Loblack was optimistic despite the loss.

“I am looking forward to the next game as our game has not really started …. It was only in the latter part of the third set that we started to get it together and showed that we can play”, Loblack noted.

Dominica next plays Grenada in the Saturday’s night capper.

Before them, Panama and Haiti meet in the third match of the two day tournament.