USA and Dominican Republic to represent NORCECA at VNL

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 16, 2019 – USA and Dominican Republic once again will represent NORCECA Confederation in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball League of Nations, whose second edition start next week.

The defending champions USA begin their season at Ruse, Bulgaria playing against Belgium, Japan and the host team on May 21-23. On the same dates, the Dominicans will play Russia, Brazil and China in Brasilia.

About USA Team

USA won the inaugural edition of the Volleyball Nations League in 2018, defeating Turkey in five sets in the final.

USA's Volleyball Nations League win was their eighth title in one of the world level major competitions and their first since the 2015 World Grand Prix.

United States won 17 of their 19 matches at the 2018 Volleyball Nations League, with the only exceptions a 3-1 loss against Serbia on 12 June 2018 and a five-set defeat against Turkey in the opening week.

United States have won 12 Volleyball Nations League matches in straight sets, at least five more than any other team (Serbia on seven).

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley was USA's top scorer at the 2018 Volleyball Nations League on 270 points. She was the most valuable player in the competition.

About Dominican Republic Team

Dominican Republic finished in 14th place at the 2018 Volleyball Nations League.

Dominican Republic are aiming for their second podium finish at a world level major competition, after a third-place finish at the 2009 Grand Champions Cup.

Dominican Republic finished in the top-10 at the last two World Championships: fifth in 2014, ninth in 2018.

Brayelin Elizabeth Martinez (250) and Yonkaira Paola Peña Isabel (186) combined for 346 of Dominican Republic's 1072 points in the 2018 Volleyball Nations League preliminary round (32%).

Only Poland's Malwina Smarzek (361) scored more points in the 2018 Volleyball Nations League preliminary round than Martinez (250).