Dominican Republic dominated Pool B at Benidorm 

BENIDORM, Spain, September 14, 2006.- The Dominican Republic recorded two victories on Wednesday and qualified in first place of Pool B at the IV Women’s International Volleyball Tournament Villa de Benidorm.

The Dominicans first scored a 2-1 (25-14, 25-14, 23-25) victory over Spaniard Grupo Murcia 2002 during the morning session, and then routed Scavolini de Pesaro of Italy 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-18) in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Spar Tenerife took the first place in Pool A with a tough victory over Home Benidorm 2-1 (30-28, 20-25, 26-24). They previously had beaten Puerto Rico .

The Puerto Ricans recovered from the loss to Tenerife 2-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-23), in defeating Nova Gorica of Slovenia in a match that finished 25-20, 25-22, 25-17.

In their first outing on Tuesday, the Dominicans beat Dutch Longa Lichtenvoorde by 3-0 and the Puerto Ricans lost to host Home Benidorm 2-1. Both teams from NORCECA are preparing for the next World Championship in Japan.

In other matches of the morning session, Longa Lichtenvoorde defeated Scavolini de Pesaro 2-1 (16-25, 25-16, 25-18) and Home Benidorm edged Nova Gorica by 2-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-17). In the afternoon, Grupo 2002 Murcia defeated Longa Lichtenvoorde 2-1 (25-23, 22-25 y 25-23).

The first round of the competition was played under the format of three-set matches, with one point credited by sets won and one extra point for each victory.

The standings in the preliminary round:

Pool A: 1. Spar Tenerife, 9 points. 2. Home Benidorm, 7 points. 3. Puerto Rico, 6 points. 4. Nova Gorica, 4 points.

Pool B: 1. Dominican Republic, 11 points. 2. Grupo Murcia 2002, 8 points. 3. Longa Lichtenvoorde, 4 points. 4. Scavolini de Pesaro, 1 point.

Thursday’s matches: Spar Tenerife vs Scavolini de Pesaro; Dominican Republic vs Nova Gorica; Home Benidorm vs. Longa Lichtenvoorde; Grupo Murcia 2002 vs Puerto Rico.