SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- Dominican Republic downed United States 3-1, one of the most favored teams to win the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Volleyball Tournament.

Since they entered the court in the Nazario Ortiz Gym, the Dominicans did not seem impressed before their rivals beating them in four sets, that finished 25-23, 24-26, 25-20 y 25-17.

Led by the vigorous offense of Elisa Eve Mejías, who scored 24 points, the pupils of Cuban coach Enrique Larrazaleta, gave no respite to the northerns avoiding a tie-break against “some kind of team” as said the tutor of the Caribbean girls.

Contributing to the triumph in double digits were Jeoselyna Rodríguez (19) and Yenifer Calcaño (12), although all were one on the court to get this important victory which puts them in a privileged position in Pool A. For United States, captain Darcy Dorton had 13 and Kathleen Slay had 11.

Larrazaleta was excited after the so dreamed victory even that it was only two weeks ago when the team was put together, and he recognized that he prepares the players  with the same methods utilized in Cuba, emphasizing in the physical preparation of the athletes.

Enrique Larrazaleta, coach of Dominican Republic: “We went out to give it all and the goal was achieved because winning is practically qualifying to the final, now we have to go on, in this group we have four players who did not go to the ALBA Games in Venezuela, is a group of prospects, but was too apart, so we hope it becomes more united as the event goes on.”

Paula Weishoff, coach of United States: “We started the match very well, very well for four sets and without experience, my players lost their composure and that was the reason we lost, we could not fight during the last set.”

Niverka Marte, captain of Dominican Republic: “United States always have great teams and we had against us that we couldn’t be together because in the team we have youth, junior and national players, but we went out to win this match that means so much for the qualification. We are happy because many did not gave us chances of winning, it was a purpose to be achieved.”

Darcy Dorton, captain of United States: “The two teams played well, but we had some errors because it is our first match together, but in general we played well.”