Dominican Republic and Grupo Murcia in finals at Benidorm

BENIDORM, Spain , September 16, 2006.- Dominican Republic and Grupo Murcia 2002 will battle for the title in the final match of the IV Women’s International Volleyball Villa de Benidorm Tournament.

In the semi final round, the Dominicans, a team in preparation for the next World Championship in Japan , defeated host Visual Home Benidorm while Grupo Murcia 2002 beat Spar Tenerife Marichal.

The Dominicans lost the first set and prevailed in a long second set, to defeat Home Benidorm by score of 20-25, 33-31, 25-12, 25-16. Murcia eliminated Tenerife with a 20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-14 triumph.

American Kim Willoughby and Russian Lioubov Kilic, with 17 and 16 points respectively, led Murcia , considered the strongest team in Spain and one of the top sides in all Europe.

On Saturday, Spar Tenerife Marichal and Home Visual Benidorm will meet for the bronze medal before the match for the gold between Dominican Republic and Grupo Murcia 2002.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico edged Italian Scavolini de Pesaro in five sets by score of 17-25, 25-17, 25-20, 23-25, 15-10.

The Puerto Ricans, also qualified for the world event in Japan , now will play for the fifth position against Nova Gorica of Slovenia, winners over Duth Longa Lichtenvoorde by 25-16, 25-19, 16-25, 25-22.

Aury Cruz led Puerto Rico with 21 points, Tatiana Encarnacion added 19 and Sheila Ocasio contributed 9 points.