With five slots available to next year’s Pan American Games, the Pan Am Volleyball Cup opened in Santo Domingo on 8 July 2018. The first match between Trinidad and Tobago and defending champions, the USA ended with the Trinidad team winning a first set against the US team, despite losing the match 3-1. The tournament will be played through 14 July at the Ricardo Arias Pavillion in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
In its first play, the Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-14, 25-10 and 25-16). On Monday, 9 July, the host Dominican Republic plays Peru at 8pm and then Canada on Tuesday, 10 July at the same time.
Dominican coach Marcos Kwiek highlighted that the Pan American Cup is a qualifier to the Pan Am Games thus the quality of the event is better as teams send their best to grab one of the five slots. He highlighted the extra pressure of playing at home. “Our goal is at least to win a medal. The team is well balanced after the participation in the League of Nations,” he stated.
The championship is also a preparation for teams that expect to play in the FIVB World Championship in Japan.
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Norceca
Norceca
Listin Diario
9 July 2018
