NewsWhore
08-03-2009, 05:30 PM
The Dominican women's national volleyball team defeated South Korea in five sets to win one of its three commitments in the Ninbo round of the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix on Sunday. The DR won the match in Pool C, 25-22, 25-12, 18-25, 24-26, 1-10 in 112 minutes, after having lost to China and a spirited battle against Russia earlier this week.
Bethania de la Cruz led four Dominican players in two-digit figures. The DR is ranked 13th in the world.
As reported by the FIVB, the DR team scored the first point of the match with a powerful spike by Altagracia Mambru, but after two straight blocks the Koreans assured an 8-6 lead at the first TTO. The Dominicans then upped their tempo to snatch the lead (12-11) before going into the second TT0 with a three-point advantage. Coming back to the court, Korea won two points in a row to cut the deficit to one before Dominican Republic pulled away again and secured the set 25-22.
In the second set, two spiking errors from Kim Min-ji along with a De La Cruz smash handed Dominican Republic an early 4-1 lead. But the Koreans reacted soon to level at 5-5 before Dominican Republic regained the lead by the first TTO (8-6). Korea then made a few mistakes in attack as Dominican Republic boosted its advantage to seven points at the second TTO (16-9). Leading 24-12, Dominican Republic won the set on a Dharlenis Marte Frica Niverka serve ace.
Korea opened the third set with a 3-1 lead and enjoyed a one-point difference at the first TTO. Thanks to excellent serves, attacks and blocks, Lee's side stretched their lead all the way to take the set by a seven-point margin.
The fourth set was heatedly contested. The DR built a 7-4 lead, only for Korea to win three straight points to even the score. Korea was 16-14 ahead at the second TTO. Dominicans succeeded in tying the score at 17-17 and little separated the teams for the rest of the set. As the breathtaking play continued, it was Korea who reached the first match point, but did not realize it. The Koreans converted on their second set point when Cabral De La Cruz rose from the left flank to spike off bounds.
The DR team rebounded strongly in the deciding fifth set, surging to an early 6-2 lead and going into the first TTO with a four-point advantage. After the break, South Korea win three straight points to pull within at 8-7 before leveling 10-10. But the Koreans could go further while the DR scored five points in a row to seal the hard-fought win.
"We tried our best in the first two sets, but played poorly in the third and fourth. That is common for us, as both teams are very young. We are trying to improve," said Dominican head coach Kwiek Marcos.
The DR will now play in the second round, 7-9 August in Taipei, Taiwan against the US, Holland and Germany, and then from 14-16 August in Hong Kong, against Polland, China and Holland.
Twelve teams are competing in the World Grand Prix series this season. After each team plays three rounds, the top five as well as hosts Japan will qualify for the Grand Prix final round to be played in Tokyo, Japan from August 19-23.
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/... (http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2009/Results.asp?Tourn=WGP2009&Phase=3)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#13)
Bethania de la Cruz led four Dominican players in two-digit figures. The DR is ranked 13th in the world.
As reported by the FIVB, the DR team scored the first point of the match with a powerful spike by Altagracia Mambru, but after two straight blocks the Koreans assured an 8-6 lead at the first TTO. The Dominicans then upped their tempo to snatch the lead (12-11) before going into the second TT0 with a three-point advantage. Coming back to the court, Korea won two points in a row to cut the deficit to one before Dominican Republic pulled away again and secured the set 25-22.
In the second set, two spiking errors from Kim Min-ji along with a De La Cruz smash handed Dominican Republic an early 4-1 lead. But the Koreans reacted soon to level at 5-5 before Dominican Republic regained the lead by the first TTO (8-6). Korea then made a few mistakes in attack as Dominican Republic boosted its advantage to seven points at the second TTO (16-9). Leading 24-12, Dominican Republic won the set on a Dharlenis Marte Frica Niverka serve ace.
Korea opened the third set with a 3-1 lead and enjoyed a one-point difference at the first TTO. Thanks to excellent serves, attacks and blocks, Lee's side stretched their lead all the way to take the set by a seven-point margin.
The fourth set was heatedly contested. The DR built a 7-4 lead, only for Korea to win three straight points to even the score. Korea was 16-14 ahead at the second TTO. Dominicans succeeded in tying the score at 17-17 and little separated the teams for the rest of the set. As the breathtaking play continued, it was Korea who reached the first match point, but did not realize it. The Koreans converted on their second set point when Cabral De La Cruz rose from the left flank to spike off bounds.
The DR team rebounded strongly in the deciding fifth set, surging to an early 6-2 lead and going into the first TTO with a four-point advantage. After the break, South Korea win three straight points to pull within at 8-7 before leveling 10-10. But the Koreans could go further while the DR scored five points in a row to seal the hard-fought win.
"We tried our best in the first two sets, but played poorly in the third and fourth. That is common for us, as both teams are very young. We are trying to improve," said Dominican head coach Kwiek Marcos.
The DR will now play in the second round, 7-9 August in Taipei, Taiwan against the US, Holland and Germany, and then from 14-16 August in Hong Kong, against Polland, China and Holland.
Twelve teams are competing in the World Grand Prix series this season. After each team plays three rounds, the top five as well as hosts Japan will qualify for the Grand Prix final round to be played in Tokyo, Japan from August 19-23.
http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/... (http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2009/Results.asp?Tourn=WGP2009&Phase=3)
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#13)