The team of Dominican Republic celebrate their gold medal after the award ceremony in Managua on Sunday night

Managua, Nicaragua, August 26, 2012 – USA claimed the last continental vacancy to next year's FIVB Women's U20 World Championship, to be held in Czech Republic, by winning bronze at the NORCECA Women's U20 Volleyball Championship.

They join Dominican Republic and Mexico, who qualified earlier by securing their places in the final match. Dominican Republic won the gold. This is their first ever title at this level after finishing second in the past four editions of the tournament.

Brayelin Martinez collected 26 points to lead Dominican Republic to a 3-1 (25-19, 25-21, 24-26, 25-11) victory over Mexico in the final match of the eight-team tournament with both countries already qualified to the world event.

Gaila Gonzalez and Jineiry Martinez contributed 11 and 10 points respectively to the Dominican victory. Mexico’s Lizbeth Sainz and Alejandra Isiordia finished with 17 and 16 points while Jocelyn Urias had 14, including seven blocks.

In the match for the bronze medal, USA defeated Costa Rica 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-22) to finish in third place.

Azariah Stahl notched 11 points and Haleigh Washington chipped in with 9 for United States. Costa Rica’s Angie Montero topped her side with eight points.

In the match for fifth place, Cuba trounced hosts Nicaragua in straight sets (25-4, 25-8, 25-10). Sulian Matienzo led the winners with 13 points while Anet Alfonso and Yalennis Díaz each added eight tallies.

Final positions

1. Dominican Republic
2. Mexico
3. United States
4. Costa Rica
5. Cuba
6. Nicaragua
7. Guatemala
8. Trinidad & Tobago
9. Antigua & Barbuda

Individual Awards

MVP: Winifer Fernandez (DOM)
Best Scorer: Brayelin Martinez (DOM)
Best Spiker: Sulian Matienzo (CUB)
Best Blocker: Ángelica Hinojosa (DOM)
Best Server: María Álvarez (GUA)
Best Setter: Marylin Pagés (CUB)
Best Digger: Winifer Fernández (DOM)
Best Receiver: Winifer Fernández (DOM)
Best Libero: Winifer Fernández (DOM)

Historical results

Year Gold Silver Bronze
1998 USA MEX CAN
2000 CUB USA MEX
2002 PUR USA CUB
2004 USA DOM PUR
2006 USA DOM PUR
2008 USA DOM CUB
2010 USA DOM CUB
2012 DOM MEX USA

Medal Winners

Country       Gold    Silver    Bronze   Total
USA              5        2           1         8                                                              
CUB              1        0           3         4
DOM             1        4           0         5
PUR              1        0           2         3
MEX              0        2           1         3
CAN              0        0           1         1