The Dominican Republic’s women’s team (FIVB ranking 8th in the world) defeated the United States women’s team (ranked 2nd) for the title of the Women’s Pan American Volleyball Cup on Thursday, 18 June 2014 in Mexico. The Dominican women won 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 17-25, 25-21). Last year the US defeated the Dominican Republic in the finals.
During the event, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Mexico won slots to play in the 2015 Grand Prix World Championships. The Dominican team’s next most important commitments are the 2014 Grand Prix played by 28 countries starting 25 July 2014. This tournament will take the national team to play in Italy, Turkey and Thailand. Next is the World Championships in Italy, 23 September to 12 October 2014.
The United States volleyball team is ranked second in the world and was the strong favorite to win the tournament, which would have been their third in succession. Prior to their matches with the Dominican team, the US women had not lost a set.
Dominican team captain, Brenda Castillo took home the most valuable player, best receiver, best digger and best libero awards.
In its report, the Norceca league website highlighted the Dominican women’s team’s consistency. This is the third crown for the Dominicans in the history of the event with the previous two in 2008 and 2010, snapping the two-year reign of the Americans. The team has also won six silver and three medal bronzes.
Dominican team coach Marcos Kwiek said: “I am very happy with this important victory for us. Today the team played with a lot of discipline, served and blocked very well. We studied the opponents and our players perfectly followed the game plan. We came here with the purpose of winning the cup, because we have the tools for it.”
Dominican Republic Captain Bethania de la Cruz: “I am super happy with this crown. We made our best efforts to achieve our goal and we trained and worked hard for it. The United States always has very good teams, and any team shows why they are one of the super powers in the world.”
Victory was especially sweep for the Dominican team. In a preparatory match on 30 May in Switzerland, the US team had swept the Dominican team during the Montreux Volley Masters — 25-19, 25-15, 25-14.
Read more:
http://www.norceca.net/Dominican%20Republic%20dethrones%20United%20States%20in%20Pan%20Am%20Cup.htm
http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2014/May/30/US-Women-Sweep-Dominican-Republic
http://www.listindiario.com/el-deporte/2014/6/20/326698/El-Voleibol-de-RD-se-lleva-el-oro-en-Panam