PARIS, France, August 6, 2024.- Dominican Republic ended the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in eight place after falling 0-3 (22-25, 13-25, 17-25) to Brazil in quarterfinals on Tuesday at the South Paris Arena 1.
Brazil led in attack points (43-30), in blocking (10-4) and in aces (5-2). The Dominican Republic committed 17 errors and Brazil 16.
Outside hitter Yonkaira Peña was the most effective Dominican player in the match, with 12 points (all in kills), followed by fellow outside hitter Brayelin Martinez and her sister, middle blocker Jineiry Martinez, who registered nine each.
Brazil’s outside hitter and captain Gabriela ‘Gabi’ Guimarães led the team with a match-high 20 points (16 kills, three blocks, one ace). Outside hitter Ana Cristina contributed 14 points (10 kills, three aces, one block), and opposite Rosamaria Montibeller added another 11 (nine kills, two blocks).
The match against Brazil marked the last time 37-year-old outside hitter Bethania De La Cruz played for Las Reinas del Caribe. She first joined the team in 2004 and leaves with three Olympic appearances and several medals, including five NORCECA Championships.
“I’m really proud of us,” De La Cruz said. “We fought a lot to qualify for the Olympics and then to make it to the quarterfinals. Today, we did a very good job in the first set, but then we started making way too many errors and a team like Brazil will always punish you for that. It’s the end of my adventure with the national team and I can only be grateful for all that I have experienced in all these years. We have a new generation coming up and I’m excited to see what they can do.”
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