Dominican Republic reaches the semifinals

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 5, 2011 – Defending champions Dominican Republic advanced to the semifinals of the Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup and booked a ticket to next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix by defeating Cuba 3-1 (18-25, 35-33, 25-20, 25-21) to win first place in Pool A on Tuesday.

Prisilla Rivera and Milagros Cabral each tallied 14 points for the winners while Bethania De la Cruz and Annerys Vargas added 13 and 12 respectively. Cuban Kenia Carcaces had a match-high 18 points and Yusidey Silie finished with 14.

 “We knew it was going to be a tough match but I am super happy with the victory,” Dominican Cabral said. “Now we have two days to prepare tactically for the next round.”

“I think we had many ups and downs and we could not execute well in the key moments and they took advantage of it,” Cuban Silie commented.

“Our serves improved after the first set and we were able to set up our blocking and started to touch many balls which was a key for us,” Dominican Republic’s coach Marcos Kwiek stated.

“Losing the second set had its effect in our young team,” Cuban Juan Gala said. “We surprised the Dominican team in the first set but they were able to win the second and started from there to dictate the game. I am glad because my young team played well against one of the best team in the world.”