USA players pose with their national flag after winning the NORCECA gold medal at the Continental Championship and a ticket to the FIVB World Cup, which is the first volleyball qualifying event for the 2012 Olympic Games

Caguas, Puerto Rico, September 17, 2011 – FIVB World Grand Prix champions USA qualified to the FIVB World Cup by defeating the Dominican Republic in straight sets (25-15, 25-23, 25-18) to win the gold medal of the NORCECA Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship on Saturday.

As vice champions, the Dominican Republic can also potentially qualify for the World Cup -  which will be held in Japan from November 4 to 17 where the top three teams will earn tickets to the 2012 London Olympic Games - as one of the four-best second-placed teams across the five continental championships.

In the match for the bronze medal, Cuba defeated Puerto Rico 25-20, 25-15, 25-21 while Mexico edged Canada 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 in the contest for fifth place.   

United States v Dominican Republic
The United States defeated the Dominican Republic in straight sets (25-15, 25-23, 25-18) to win the gold medal at the NORCECA Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship on Saturday. Destinee Hooker and Foluke Akinradewo were the best scorers of the winning side with 17 and 11 points respectively. Akinradewo scored with five blocks and Hooker contributed three. Dominican Bethania De la Cruz registered 15 points while Annerys Vargas and Cindy Rondon each had eight.

Cuba v Puerto Rico
Cuba downed Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-20, 25-15, 25-21) in the match for the bronze medal athe NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship on Saturday. Cuba outblocked Puerto Rico 11-3 and held the edge in service winners 6-5. Gyselle Silva had five blocks and Yanelis Santos scored three aces. Kenia Carcaces led Cuba with 16 points and Yoana Palacios added 12. Santos and Silva each contributed nine points. Aury Cruz was the only Puerto Rico player with double figures in scoring, finishing with 16 points.

Mexico v Canada
Mexico defeated Canada 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 in the match for the fifth position as the Mexican team took advantage of 42 errors from Canada while committing 27 themselves. Canada held a 10-6 margin in blocks and both teams obtained six aces. Andrea Rangel and Samantha Bricio topped Mexico with 16 and 12 points respectively. Canada’s Sarah Pavan led the scoring with 18 points while Kyla Richey and Tammy Mahon each collected 10 points.

Individual awards
MVP: Bethania De la Cruz (DOM)
Best Scorer: Sarah Pavan (CAN)
Best Spiker: Yanelis Santos (CUB)
Best Blocker: Marisa Field (CAN)
Best Server: Logan Tom (USA)
Best Setter: Lindsay Berg (USA)
Best Digger: Brenda Castillo (DOM)
Best Receiver: Brenda Castillo (DOM)
Best Libero: Brenda Castillo (DOM)
Eugenio George Award: Coach Hugh McCutcheon (USA)

Final positions:
1. United States
2. Dominican Republic
3. Cuba
4. Puerto Rico
5. Mexico
6. Canada
7. Trinidad and Tobago
8. Costa Rica
9. Panama

The four-best second-placed teams across the five continental championships to qualify for the World Cup will be determined at the completion of all five continental championships.

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