Brazil beat Dominican Republic with effective blocking

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 29, 2006.- Brazil beat Dominican Republic 3-1 using good blocking and taking advantage of the mistakes committed by its rival, especially in reception and serves. The score was 25-21, 24-26, 25-15, 25-19.Fabiana Claudino was effective in 11 of 22 attacks and added six blocks to lead the Brazilians with 17 points.

Three other teammates had double figures with Marianne Steinbrecher, Renata Colombo and Caroline Gattaz adding 16, 14 and 10 respectively. Milagros Cabral was the top scorer for the Dominicans with 17 points, Cosiris Rodriguez had 11, Annerys Vargas 10 and Prisilla Rivera 8 points.

 “I knew the match was going to be tough,” said Roberto Guimaraes, the Brazilian coach. “I am very happy with our reception and blocking but not with our counterattacks. We can do better.” Miguel Beato Cruz, the Dominican coach, said:

“We had the rhythm for moments but could not be consistent. The reception in the third set was very bad and you can’t build anything without reception. In the fourth set we improved but at the end the setting was problematic.”

 In the fourth set, the Dominicans were ahead 18-15 and Brazil made a sensational comeback with a 9-point rally to take the lead 24-18 utilizing enormous blocks.