PARIS, France, July 3, 2024.- The Caribbean beat the Netherlands in four sets and are guaranteed in the elimination rounds in Paris.
The Dominican Republic got their first victory in the women’s volleyball tournament of the Paris 2024 Olympics at the perfect moment as their four-set triumph against the Netherlands on Saturday at the South Paris Arena 1 qualified them for the quarterfinals of the event, which will be held on Tuesday.
Las Reinas del Caribe (The Queens of the Caribbean, in Spanish) needed all three points to advance and were under extreme pressure after the Dutch won the first set but provided a powerful response to secure a 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 28-26) victory and get the result they needed.
With three points, five sets won and seven lost, the Dominicans are in third place in Pool C and are confirmed as one of the two best third-placed sides, then advancing to the quarterfinals. Japan and the United States are the two candidates to claim the last spot in play.
“We knew this was the most important match for us in pool play and that it wasn’t going to be easy,” setter Niverka Marte reflected. “We talked before the match that we’d need everyone to win it and that’s what happened. We played as a team and it was great to see everybody performing well. We tried to keep our minds strong after losing the first two matches, but we wanted this victory very much. I’m confident in my team and let’s see what comes up next.”
Outside hitter Yonkaira Peña was huge for the Dominicans, leading the team on the court with 28 points (26 kills, two aces). Also contributing to their victory were middle blocker Jineiry Martinez, with 13 points (nine kills, three blocks, one ace), and her sister, outside hitter Brayelin Martinez, who registered nine. Liberto Brenda Castillo was also a defensive machine for the team, getting 26 digs.
“The Netherlands are a good team and entering the court knowing we had to win to advance made the match even harder,” outside hitter Bethania De La Cruz, who came off the bench to produce seven points, commented. “We knew what we needed and fought until the end to get the win. They had some set points in the fourth set, but it only ends when it’s over, so we kept fighting and working for it. I was happy to help the team today playing in two different positions.”
Captain Nika Dalderoop (12 points), opposite Celeste Plak (12) middle blocker Indy Baijens (11) were the top Dutch players in their last match in Paris.
“Before the match we said this was our first final we play here today to even reach the quarterfinal,” opposite Elles Dambrink said. “Now it’s just really hard. We worked hard but we never got a grip on them. Their defense was amazing today and I congratulate them for getting into the quarterfinals but I hoped it would be us.”
The Dominicans relied on their strong offense to pull out the win as except for a nine-point difference for them in kills (59 to 50), the teams will almost event in the scoring stats, with the Caribbean leading in blocks (ten to nine) and opponent errors (26 to 25) and each side getting five aces.
English 
Spanish