Dominican Republic subdue Thailand in opening match

NAGOYA, Japan, November 12, 2013 - Dominican Republic debuted at the FIVB Women’s Grand Champions Cup with a win in straight sets 25-23, 25-21, 25-23 over Asian monarch Thailand at Nippon Gaishi Hall on Tuesday.

Bethania De la Cruz was the leader of the Dominican victory scoring 25 points that included five blocks and four service winners. Prisilla Rivera added 15 points and Annerys Vargas had 10 of which 4 were in net defense.

Onuma Sittirak was the best of the losing team with 20 points, 18 by attacks. Pleumjit Thinkaow had 8 tallies.

The winners dominated completely the blocking category with a difference of 12-3 and were also the superior team in the direct points with serves 6-2. In unforced errors, Thailand committed 14 against 21 of the Dominicans.

Yorkira Ana Binet was a key with effective serves coming off the bench in the second and third sets in which Vargas and Rivera excelled.

Dominican Republic won the first set erasing a 20-14 deficit with the serves and attacks from the back court zone by Bethania. De la Cruz, named the MVP of the match, racked up 21 points in the first two sets.

"I am very pleased with the win," said Marcos Kwiek , leader of the Dominican team . "The score was 3-0 but it does not indicate how close was the game as Thailand plays with many combinations and we are so much mentally exhausted because you have to be at full strength all the time."

"Tomorrow we play against Russia which is a very tall team and we have to set up a quick game to have any chance of success," he said.