The Dominican Republic’s senior volleyball team (Reinas del Caribe) defeated Colombia 3-1 in the finals of the Fifth Pan Am Cup on Sunday, 28 August 2022 in Hermosillo, Mexico. The two best scorers of the game were Dominican players Gaila Gonzalez (23), including 11 kills, and Bethania de la Cruz (18). Yonkaira Peña scored 14 points from 12 kills and two blocks.
The Dominican team won all its matches in the Hermosillo, Mexico tournament. The Dominican Republic was the defending champion at the Norceca event.
The Dominican Republic has won the Women’s Pan American Cup title before in 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2016.
To win the finals against Colombia in the 5th Pan Am Cup, the Dominican women lead with a comfortable 14-9 in blocking and service points. The DR had a 56-51 attacking advantage and scored on 22 Colombian errors against 19.
Niverka Marte, captain of Dominican Republic told Norceca: “We have screamed and celebrated a lot, I am so happy and proud of my team. I am part of a team of leaders that doesn’t allow anyone to play bad because we are always pushing each other. Colombia has a fierce team, they never give up and we respect them, we faced a great opponent that played well and stood up to us. The joy and team union from the first day of the tournament is what gave us the crown today.”
Marcos Kwiek, head coach of Dominican Republic: “After no concentration in the first set, we focused on what we had practiced, studied, and prepared for the game. I believe our discipline was key to win the game. The sets we lost during the tournament were all close, we must be more aggressive from the start”.
María Alejandra Marín, captain of Colombia: “This is our first Pan American Cup final, we are happy and hoping for many more to come; we knew it was going to be hard. Colombia did its job, but things didn’t come out, it was a battling second place. We won the first set because we were tactically organized, the rest of the game we committed too many errors, we learn from everything”.
In the previous games, the DR had defeated the United States 3-2 (23-25, 24-26, 25-16, 25-22 and 15-8). Norceca reports that the US team battled strong to win the first two sets, by close scores and missing one set point before grabbing the second. Dominicans’ reaction helped them jump to a comfortable four-point advantage in mid third set (14-10) and finished strong with a seven-point lead. The Dominican Republic forced the tie-break in a tough close fourth set, only to come out and dominate the fifth and final set.
The DR also defeated host Mexico 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-8 and 25-14) to make the playoffs of the 19th Women’s Pan American Gold in Hermosillo, Mexico.
The Dominican team started slow in the game against Mexico. The DR lost the first set and struggled in the second to overcome Mexico’s offense. After that, the team was on a roll. Dominicans overpowered Mexico with a huge 15-1 margin in serves; they also led by a comfortable 10-6 margin in blocks and a close 50-48 advantage in attacks. Dominican Republic limited their errors to 13 points against 23.
Setter and team captain Niverka Marte of the Dominican Republic was selected the Most Valuable Player of the 19th Women’s Pan American Cup after her team won their fifth gold medal match over Colombia at the Sonora Arena in Hermosillo.
The closing ceremony was chaired by NORCECA President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz (Dominican Republic) accompanied by the guest of honor Ana Guevara, Director of the Sports Council and Physical Culture (CONADE) of Mexico.
Niverka Marte shared the podium with her teammates Bethania De La Cruz, awarded 1st Best Spiker and Best Server, Geraldine Gonzalez 1st Best Blocker, Gaila Gonzalez the Best Opposite and Brenda Castillo awarded as Best Libero, Best Receiver and Best Digger.
From the silver medalists team Colombia, Maria Alejandra Marin was chosen as the Best Setter and Darlevis Mosquera the 2nd Best Blocker.
Outside hitter Avery Skinner of the United States and bronze medalists, received the recognitions for 2nd Best Spiker and Best Scorer.
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29 August 2022