Mambru leads Dominican Republic to its second victory
Tucuman, Argentina, June 5, 2016 – The Dominican Republic reached its second victory on the first weekend of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, beating Kenya in straight sets, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-20). Bethania De La Cruz De Peña was the top scorer with 12 points and Gina Mambru Casilla the key player for the Dominican triumph.
The Dominican Republic has now won two matches in a row at a World Grand Prix for the first time since successive wins against Italy and Algeria in 2013. This year the team has played two five-set matches in a row, losing to Bulgaria in their opening match before beating Argentina and now Kenya.
Dominican Republic controlled the set from the beginning thanks to Gina Mambru attacks. Mercy Moim was the resistance point of Kenya, that came close several times, but was stopped by Bethania De La Cruz whose tip over the block closed the first, 25-21.
Triza Atuka's block made everyone clap; she built a wall for Kenya team and got the control of the board for the first time in the game. The development turned even with Moim and De La Cruz changing spikes, but it was finally Dominican Republic who got the key to unlock the game with the contribution of Mambru and Martinez on the net. A fantastic final strike gave the Dominicans the second set, 25-21.
Related information:Kenya did well at the start of the third episode, but couldn't maintain the level and Eve Castillo shone to put Dominican Republic ahead. Consecutive mistakes of Kenya made it easier for Marcos Kwiek to reach the victory by 25-20.