Dominicans and Peruvians advanced to the final match  

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 28, 2006.- Dominican Republic and Peru will play the championship match of the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Volleyball Cup after recording four-set victories on Thursday.

The Dominicans recovered from losing the first set and went on to defeat Cuba 20-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-21, and Peru won over Puerto Rico by 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 25-21.

In the first match of the day for the seventh place, Canada defeated Costa Rica in straight sets 25-22, 25-20, 25-16.

Bethania de la Cruz topped the Dominican Republic with 21 points and Sofia Heredia and Altagracia Mambru added 16 and 10 respectively. Yusleini Herrera led Cuba with 14 points and Natali Grinan and Indira Mestre each had 10 points.

After having difficulties with their reception and the blocking in the opening set, the Dominicans put everything together the rest of the way with great serving and solid attack.

“Of all the teams in this competition, the Dominican Republic is the best prepared, they are in a good momentum, and after losing the first set they recovered and came out strong in the other sets,” said Idalberto Valdés, the coach of Cuba.

Heredia, the Dominican captain, said: “The Cubans are very tall, and we could establish our fast tempo and that was the key when we assembled everything.”

The victory of Peru came as a surprise over Puerto Rico, the unbeaten winner of Pool A. The Peruvians avenged the loss in three sets to the Puerto Ricans during the Pan American Cup last July.

Leyla Chihuan was the top scorer for Peru with 18 points leading four players in double figures. Patricia Soto had 17, and Mirtha Uribe and Natalia Romanova each contributed 12 points. Eva and Aury Cruz had 21 and 17 points for Puerto Rico.

“We are starting to look more like a team,” said captain Chihuan. “Our coach always says that we are good individually but still need to work more collectively and well because our goal is the World Championship.”

Carlos Aparicio, the Peruvian coach, said: “This victory has a double meaning for us. The first is that we avenged the loss suffered recently to Puerto Rico, and second because is the team that came here with almost all its regular players.”

Emily Cordonier with 17 points and Tara Smart with 11 tallies led the Canadian victory. Karen Cope charted in 10 points for Costa Rica.

On Friday, USA and Mexico will play for the fifth position in the first match and Puerto Rico will meet Cuba in the encounter for the bronze medal.