USA Women sweeps of Dominican Republic

 

WINNIPEG, Canada, September 19, 2007.- As the three-time defending NORCECA Women’s Continental Champion, the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team moved one step closer to a fourth consecutive title by defeating Dominican Republic 25-20, 25-18, 25-22 on Wednesday evening on the final day of pool play at the 2007 NORCECA event in Winnipeg, Canada.

 

Team USA, as the winner of Pool B with a 3-0 record, advances directly to the tournament’s semifinal round on Friday. The time and opponent will be determined after Thursday’s quarterfinal matches. Dominican Republic finishes Pool B with a 2-1 record and will face Puerto Rico (1-2 in Pool A) in the quarterfinal round.

 

Ogonna Nnamani led a balanced American attack with 13 points on 11 kills, one block and one ace. Heather Bown secured 11 points in the victory with seven kills and four blocks. Tayyiba Haneef Park added 10 points with eight kills and two blocks.

 

Dominican Republic’s Bethania De La Cruz was the leading scorer for the match with 20 points through 19 kills and a block. Milagros Cabral charted 12 points all on kills in the loss. Cosiri Rodriguez provided seven points, while Cindy Rondon Martinez added six points.

 

“I am pleased with how this team is showing its maturity and carrying out the plans that we work on in practice,” U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach 'Jenny' Lang Ping said. “We have done a very nice job of holding down our errors - especially in serve and pass. We are looking forward to a day off to prepare for the semifinals.”

 

Team USA held a 10-3 margin in blocks to offset a 44-37 disadvantage in kills for the match. Both teams served out two aces.

 

“I thought we raised our level today with the level of competition,” Bown said. “We still have a long way to go to reach the level we must have to be successful in the semis and finals.”