Queens of the Caribbean secure win over Korea in Nations League

Istanbul, Turkey.- The Dominican Republic women’s volleyball team, known as the Queens of the Caribbean, claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Korea on Sunday, closing the second phase of the Nations League with a 2-2 record. The team now holds four wins and four losses overall, placing ninth in the standings.

In a fiercely contested match (19-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-20, 16-14), standout performances came from Brayelin Martínez with 24 points, Gaila González with 22, and Yonkaira Peña with 17. Geraldine González added 11 points and key blocks on defense. For Korea, Seoyoung Yuk and Sohwi Kang both scored 20 points, while Seonwoo added 16.

Despite the absence of key middle blockers Jineirys Martínez and Cándida Arias, and the injury of libero Yaneiris Rodríguez, the team pushed through. Rodríguez was replaced by Larismel Martínez, who delivered a solid performance.

The match saw back-and-forth dominance: Korea took the first and third sets with strong defense and explosive runs, while the Dominicans fought back in the second and fourth, with clutch hitting from Martínez sealing the fourth set. In the decisive fifth, the Caribbean squad edged out Korea 16-14.

The team will now return to Santo Domingo to resume training before heading out again to face China on July 10 in the third phase of the tournament.