Bethania scores 24 in Dominican win over Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, January 4, 2019 - Bethania De la Cruz scored 24 points in the Dominican Republic victory over Puerto Rico in four sets to start the Caribbean Women's Volleyball Series at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum on Friday.

The scores were 19-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-16.

Puerto Rico dominated the first set, but could not maintain its pace in the following episodes.

De la Cruz was supported on the offensive by Brayelin Martínez with 12 and Prisilla Rivera 10. For Puerto Rico, Pilar Victoriá scored 11, Sarai Alvarez had 0 and Karina Ocasio, Paulina Prieto and Neira Ortiz each finished with 8.

"I'm happy with the result, I have players who were not on the international court since October and they fit the game very well. I hope the level goes up for tomorrow,"said Marcos Kwiek, leader of the Dominican Republic.

For his part, José Mieles explained that after playing well the first set the group could not complete the offensive, "They established their game and we could not maintain the offensive and defensive rhythm".