USA new world No. 1, Dominican Republic jump to sixth place

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 13, 2014 – It is time for NORCECA to start celebrating as two teams from the North, Central American and Caribbean Confederation were big news on when the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced the updated women’s world ranking on Monday.

United States, winners of the gold medal at the FIVB Women’s World Championship in Italy on Sunday, are the new number one in the classifications while the Dominican Republic, the most pleasant surprise in Italy, jumped to the sixth place, their best position ever.

USA made history by beating China to clinch their first ever gold medal following an electric two weeks of top quality volleyball.

 “The fact that world No. 10 the Dominican Republic got so far through the competition demonstrates how the sport is developing beyond the usual stars in Russia and Brazil,” FIVB President  Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said at the end of the world championship in Italy.

The top ten teams in the rankings are the same, but some reshuffle took place among those leading countries.

The Dominican Republic escalated four places from 10th place to sixth and China, runner-ups in Italy, moved from fifth to third position.

United States leapfrogged Brazil as the top women’s team in the world while Puerto Rico (15th) and Canada (16th) improved one and five steps on the ladder.

USA made history by beating China to clinch their first ever gold medal following an electric two weeks of top quality volleyball.

Top Ten Countries:

1. United States (345), 2. Brazil (310), 3. China (276), 4. Japan (271), 5. Italy (258), 6. Dominican Republic (181), 7. Russia (180), 8. Serbia (150), 9. Germany (139), 10. Korea (137).

Other NORCECA Countries:

15. Puerto Rico (71), 16. Canada (63), 26. Cuba (45), 27. Mexico (44), 34. Trinidad &  Tobago (25), 35. Costa Rica (20).

For the complete rankings go to: http://www.fivb.org/en/volleyball/VB_Ranking_W_2014-10.asp