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GUADALAJARA, Mexico, August 30, 2021.- Defending
champion Dominican Republic reached the NORCECA
Women’s Continental title match beating United
States 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20) in semifinals
and qualified to the 2022 FIVB World
Championship.
This is the sixth time Dominican Republic
battles for the Women’s Volleyball NORCECA
title, winning on two occasions, during the past
edition in 2019 against United States when both
presented their A-teams, and in 2009, beating
Puerto Rico who they meet again on Tuesday.
Puerto Rico has never won a gold medal, they
have earned one silver and three bronze. United
States will face Canada in the bronze medal
match, which they have won on three occasions
and Canadians a total of nine.
Dominican Republic, with a combination of
experienced players and under 23 players,
controlled the United States B team with a 46-32
margin in attacks, a slim 6-5 in blocks and a
3-0 advantage in serves; they committed 17
unforced errors against 20 from the United
States.
Outside hitter Bethania De La Cruz led
Dominicans’ offense with 17 points, as well as
opposite hitter Gaila González; outside hitter
Prisilla Rivera added 14 points.
Opposite hitter Veronica Perry of United States
scored 8 points, followed by opposite player
Danielle Cuttino, coming off the bench in the
second set, and outside hitter Alexandra Frantti
with 6 points each.
Prisilla Rivera, Captain of Dominican Republic:
“We were really aggressive in our serves, which
helped us a lot by not allowing United States to
play fast, which was really effective in their
other performances. We counterattacked very well
and adjusted our defense; I believe it was a
good match overall, we controlled it from start
to finish”.
Marcos Kwiek, Coach of Dominican Republic: “We
did a good match, the team was concentrated the
whole time and our serves were effective. Also,
our receiving was at a good level, we were able
to perform and we were aggressive, focused.
Tomorrow is a final match and we have lots of
respect”.
Danielle Cuttino, Captain of United States: “I
feel we never got a chance to play our game,
which is unfortunate. There were spurs when we
looked pretty good but just not enough to turn
it in our favor”.
Joseph Trinsey, Coach of United States: “They
taught us a lesson, they have a lot of
experienced players, smart players and they
taught some of our less experienced players a
lesson; so hopefully that’s something we can
learn from and read so we can have a good result
tomorrow against Canada”. |
