Macau, China, August 14, 2010 – The Dominican Republic dealt China their first loss in the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix as the home side went down 3-2 (25-20, 20-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-9) in Macau.

China began the game with efficient attack and blocks as they moved into an early lead. However, two ace serves from Burgos helped the Dominican Republic to overcome China by one point at the first technical timeout. A series unforced errors made neither side gain a solid advantage, keeping the point deficit to one. The Dominican Republic started to widen the lead to 21-18 after powerful attacks from Eve Mejia. Dominating at the net, the Dominican Republic won the set by five points.

The second set started with a seesaw situation as China took a narrow lead at the first technical timeout. China began to take control, slowly gaining a seven-point lead. However, following a number of solid blocks, the Dominica Republic brought the score close again to two points behind. Two ace serves from Wang Yimei helped China to even the scores.

The third set was also an even battle with none of the teams taking more than one point advantage. China made a substitution, replacing Xu Yunli with Xue Ming to enforce the blocking. However, showing greater ambition, the Dominican Republic did not allow China to take a solid advantage. Following a number of good attacks, China ended the set ahead, taking the score to 2-1.

Both teams started the fourth set determined and China’s smash helped them take a narrow lead 8-6. A number of errors allowed the Dominican Republic to bring the score to 16-13, three points ahead of China. Once China grasped points in a row and reduced the deficit to one point behind. Playing more confidently, the Dominican Republic sealed the set with 25-22, taking the game to a set-decider.

In the decisive set, the Dominican Republic showed their ambition for victory. A number of aggressive spikes from Altagracia Mambru and Eve left China five points behind. China then allowed errors to come into their game, allowing the Dominican Republic to see out the match with the win.

Sunday will see China take on Brazil at the top of the table while the Dominican Republic face the Netherlands.