Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, July 19, 2010 – Defending champions the Dominican Republic in Pool A and Puerto Rico and Mexico in Pool B all remain unbeaten after two matches in the women’s Volleyball tournament at the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games.

Both Dominicans and Puerto Ricans are warming-up in anticipation to the FIVB World Grand Prix that runs from August 6-29.

The Dominican Republic will now play Trinidad & Tobago looking to secure top place in the pool while Mexico and hosts Puerto Rico will clash for supremacy in Poo B and a direct ticket to the semi finals.

In Monday’s matches, the Dominican Republic beat Barbados in just 53 minutes, while Mexico and Puerto Rico won straight-set contests against Nicaragua and Guatemala respectively. The other match was a five-set battle won by Costa Rica over Trinidad & Tobago.

Puerto Rico v Guatemala

Puerto Rico overwhelmed Guatemala in consecutive sets (25-8, 25-14, 25-12) and improved to a 2-0 win-loss record in Pool B. The winners had a huge advantage in the blocking (8-0) and serving aces (10-1) departments. Karina Occasio led Puerto Rico with 11 points and Sarai Alvarez added nine. The foursome of Stephanie Enright, Aurea Cruz, Alexandra Oquendo and Sheila Ocasio totaled seven points apiece.

Dominican Republic v Barbados

The defending champions Dominican Republic dominated Barbados in straight sets (25-6, 25-9, 25-6) improving its mark to 2-0 in Pool A. The defeated side fell to 0-2. Dominicans Prisilla Rivera and Gina Mambru each scored 10 points while compiling five aces apiece. Annerys Vargas and Lisvel Eve contributed nine and eight points respectively to seal the win.

Mexico v Nicaragua

Mexico maintained a perfect record in Pool B following its straight-set (25-14, 25-19, 25-18) victory over Nicaragua who dropped to a 0-2 record on Monday. The winners out-served the losers 13-3. Mexican Samantha Bricio produced 19 points including five aces while Andrea Rangel added 15. Zaira Orellana compiled four aces and two blocks among her seven points. Nicaraguan Jacqueline Toruño charted nine points for her side.

Costa Rica v Trinidad & Tobago

Costa Rica overcame a 4-0 deficit in the tie-breaker and defeated Trinidad & Tobago 25-18, 25-27, 22-25, 25-19, 15-11. Both teams have 1-1 record in Pool A. Verania Willis and Karen Cope compiled 19 and 15 points respectively for Costa Rica who benefited from 53 errors from the opponent. Trinidadians Channon Thompson and Krystle Esdelle had 23 and 22 points and Rheeza Grant added 12.