USA and Dominican Republic to represent NORCECA in second round

ROME and VERONE, Italy, September 28, 2014 - The United States and Dominican Republic are the two teams of the NORCECA Confederation, qualified to the FIVB WWCH second round, as they will look to advance to the best eight teams to compete for medals.

The Americans will play Turkey in their first match in Pool F while the Dominicans will meet Belgium when the competition resumes on Wednesday.

USA 3, Russia 1

The United States defeated Russia in four sets 34-32, 25-19, 29-31 and 26-24 to finish on top in Pool C. Tatiana Kosheleva scored 31 points for Russia and Ekaterina Gamova finished with 20. Also, Alexandra Pasynkova (11) and Nataliya Kryuchkova (10) contributed for the European team. However, Karch Kiraly’s pupils won after almost two and a half hours of game. Kelly Murphy and Jordan Larson Burbach scored 20 apiece. Captain Krista Harmotto Dietzen, Kimberly Hill and Foluke Akinradewo, added 18, 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Dominican Republic 3, Italy 2

Dominican Republic continued with a perfect march after outplaying Italy in five sets at the Palalottomatica Gym in Rome. Scores were 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 16-25 and 15-8. Dominican captain, Bethania de la Cruz marked 27 points. With 16 tallies, closed Prisilla Rivera and Gina Mambrú registered 12. Italy had 4 players with double digits as Nadia Centoni scored 15 points and Valentina Diouf 14. Antonella del Core and Caterina Bosetti, registered 11 apiece. Dominican Republic worked hard with their blocking game by converting 16 points, against Italy’s 7.

Belgium 3-0 Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is out of contention at the World Championship after a 0-3 defeat against Belgium in a match celebrated at Bari’s Palaflorio. Scores were 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 in favor of the Europeans. Best Puerto Rican weapons were  Aury Cruz with 14 points, Karina Ocasio with 11 and Lynda Morales with six. On Belgium’s side, Lisa Van Hecke topped with 17 points.

Bulgaria 3, Canada 0

Canada lost against Bulgaria in straight sets. This was the fourth contention between both countries in their history. The Bulgarians won 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-18). Nikolova Emiliya was the Balkanik team’s best scorer with 13 points, while Dobriana Rabadzhieva tallied 12. Charuk Lucille contributed with 10 for Canada and Marcelle Shanice totalized 9.

Azerbaijan 3, Cuba 1

Cuba like in Mexican case brought a young team, also in a transition process. The Caribbeans won at least one set with four players with double digits. However Azerbaijan triumphed in four sets 25-20, 25-27, 25-20 and 25-22. Alena Rojas scored 18 units, Regla Gracia 16, Melissa Vargas 15 and  Daymara Lescay 12 for Cuba. Polina Rahimova scored 27 the Caucasians, and Odina Bayramova tallied 15. Cuba had a good service strategy converting 11 points in aces against a 7 by Azerbaijan. Six of those aces were served by Regla Gracia.

Netherlands 3, Mexico 0

México could not claim a victory after their farewell to the World Championship. Netherlands won in three sets 32-30, 25-17, 25-17 at the Palaolimpia Hall. Lizbeth Seomara Sainz got 11 points, in her second double digit match at the competition, while Cecilia Rios, finished with 10. But, Manon Flier and Lonneke Sloetjes closed as best scorers for the Dutch. Flier claimed 15 units and Sloetjes 13.