Dominican Republic had a balanced attack tactic that gave them a 3-1 win over Cuba in the first round of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup at the Yoyogi National Stadium on Wednesday
Cubans Jennifer Yanet Alvarez Hernandez and Sulian Caridad Matienzo Linares topped the scoring charts with 22 and 17 points, respectively, but Dominican Republic players Prisilla Rivera Brens led a more balanced attack with 12 points. Rivera’s team-mates Erasma Moreno Martinez, Yonkaira Paola Pena Isabel and Gina Altagracia Mambru Casilla contributed 10 points each.
Cuba and Dominican Republic fought closely in the opening set that resulted to an even contest, but the latter gained a slim edge in the second technical timeout 16-15. Dominican Republic then netted a bigger edge at 24-19 from errors of their opponents then Cuba managed to score three more markers before the Dominicans closed the set at 25-22. Cuba scored on two consecutive blocks to establish a 10-8 lead in the second set. Dominican Republic reorganised and responded to snatch the lead 21-17 and claim the second set 25-22.
Cuba built a 12-5 lead in the third set, as their attackers handled to break the Dominican block. The Cubans protected their lead to take the third set 25-18. Cuba and Dominican Republic tested each other’s strength on the attack, which resulted to an even ballgame at 20-all in the fourth set. Both squads engaged in the final plays but Dominican Republic asserted more effort to grab the set and match victory 25-23.