Olympic Games: Caribbean Queens beat Netherlands and advance to second round

FRANCE (3-09-2024). The Dominican Republic Women’s Volleyball Team advanced to the second round after defeating the Netherlands, ranked 10th in the world, in three sets to one match this morning (22-25, 25, 21, 25-17 and 28-26), in a game corresponding to Group C, in the Olympic Games tournament.

This victory of the Caribbean women gave them the three points they needed, as they won 3-1 over their rivals from the Netherlands, who had the misfortune of being eliminated from the Games.

The Dominican Republic finished third in its group with a record of one win and two losses, as the points scored define the team, not the number of wins and losses. Italy finished first and Turkey second, with six and five points, respectively.

The team’s attackers, Yonkaira Peña and Brayelin Martínez, led the offensive attack with strong shots from the back and from the corners. Peña shined in sets two and three, where she whipped her rivals, while in the fourth set, Brayelin got the last points to get the pass.

Yonkaira Peña scored 28 points, Jineirsy Martinez 12, Brayelin Martinez 9, and Bethania de la Cruz 7.

For the Netherlands, Plak scored 12, Daalderop 12 and Baijens 11.

The Netherlands managed to win the first set 25-22. However, the Dominicans reacted spectacularly, with Yonkaira Peña leading the way, winning sets two and three to lead the two-time Pan American champions only to need one set to advance to the second round.

The fourth set was very close, and the Netherlands was leading by two and one point until Yonkaira Peña scored a kill to tie the set at 21 apiece.

The Netherlands scored a point to tie the game at 24-22 and thought for the best. However, Brayelin scored a backhand point, and Yonkaira scored a point to tie the score at 24 apiece.

Peña bounced a serve to put the Netherlands ahead 26-25. Brayelin, with a powerful spike, tied the match at 26, Candida Arias scored the 27th point, and a block by Jineirys Martinez closed the game 28-26 in favor of the Dominicans, who jumped on the taraflex to celebrate with jubilation their advance.