USA improve 2-0, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico earn first win at Olympic Qualifier

United States improved to 2-0, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico earned first wins to stand 1-1 as well as Canada, while Mexico is 0-2 at the FIVB Road to Paris Women’s Olympic Qualifier on Sunday.

The top two teams from three pools played simultaneously in China, Japan and Poland will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Watch all matches on VolleyballWorld.tv

United States swept Thailand 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18) in Łódź, Poland in Pool C leading in kills (41-27), blocks (16-5) and aces (4-1). Each team had 14 scoring errors.

Opposite Jordan Thompson led all scorers with 18 points on a match-high 15 kills, two blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Dana Rettke added 11 points on a match-high six blocks and five kills. Outside hitter Kelsey (Robinson) Cook scored 11 points on eight kills, two blocks and one ace.

Dominican Republic defeated Canada 3-2 (25-17, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-12). This was both teams second five-set match in a row in Pool A, in Ningbo, China.

Dominicans led in attack points (79-58) and blocks (10-5). While Canada led in aces (6-3) and received more points from opponent errors (28-18).

Opposite Gaila Gonzalez led Dominican Republic with 25 points on 20 kills, four blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Brayelin Martinez added 20 points on 18 kills and two blocks. Yonkaira Peña and Jineiry Martinez contributed 13 and 12 points respectively.

Team captain Alex Gray (25 points) and Kiera Van Ryk (23) led Canada in scoring.

Puerto Rico in Tokyo, Japan, recovered from losing the first set to beat Belgium 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-19), leading 57-55 in attacks, 10-6 in blocks and 7-3 in serves. Puerto Rico committed one more error than their opponent (22-21).

Opposite Brittany Abercrombie of Puerto Rico scored a match-high of 24 points on 23 kills and on block. Outside hitters Alondra Vazquez and Paola Santiago added 15 and 12 points respectively. Middle blocker Neila Ortiz contributed 10 points.

Mexico in Pool A lost to host China 0-3 (14-25, 18-25, 7-25).

Follow the tournament at Volleyball Olympic Qualifying Tournament