Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, July 21, 2010 – FIVB World Grand Prix participants the Dominican Republic and hosts Puerto Rico won their respective pools and claimed direct tickets to the semifinals of the women’s Volleyball tournament at the XXI Central American Games in Mayaguez on Tuesday.
The Dominicans, two-time defending champions, scored a straight-sets win over Trinidad & Tobago to finish top of Pool A while the Puerto Ricans defeated Mexico in consecutive frames to take first place in Pool B.
In Tuesday's other matches Costa Rica downed Barbados in three sets and Guatemala edged Nicaragua in a thrilling five-setter.
In Wednesday’s quarterfinals Costa Rica, second placed in Pool A, play Guatemala and México meets Trinidad & Tobago.
Dominican Republic v Trinidad & Tobago
The Dominican Republic advanced to the semifinals after claiming a 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-21) victory over Trinidad & Tobago and winning Pool A. Veterans Annerys Vargas and Milagros Cabral topped the winners with 12 and 10 points respectively and Lisvel Eve contributed eight to the victory. Trinidadian Krystle Esdelle recorded eight points for the defeated team.
Puerto Rico v Mexico
Puerto Rico won Pool B by defeating a resilient young Mexico team in straight sets (25-22, 25-21, 25-22) on Tuesday. The winners had the advantage in blocks (9-4) while the defeated side outscored the home team in service winners (9-5). Puerto Ricans Aury Cruz, Sarai Alvarez and Alexandra Oquendo finished in double figures with 13, 12 and 11 points respectively. Samantha Bricio led Mexico with nine points and Andrea Rangel and Xitlali Herrera scored seven apiece.
Costa Rica v Barbados
Costa Rica finished with a 2-1 record in Pool A after defeating Barbados in straight sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-11). Costa Rican Mariela Quesada totaled 14 points including five aces while Karen Copa and Verania Willis contributed 11 and nine points respectively. Shari Matthews and Anicia Wood had 11 and nine for Barbados.
Guatemala v Nicaragua
Guatemala won a five-set battle (14-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 15-10) against Nicaragua and a berth in the quarterfinals after finishing third in Pool B. Guatemalan Blanca Recino scored an astonishing tournament-high 36 points including five blocks and two aces, while Diana Arias and Rut Gomez added 16 and 12 respectively. Nicaraguans Jaqueline Toruño and Amalia Hernandez charted 19 and 17 points.
Pool A
1. Dominican Republic
2. Costa Rica
3. Trinidad & Tobago
4. Barbados.
Pool B
1. Puerto Rico
2. Mexico
3. Guatemala
4. Nicaragua