Nagoya, Japan, October 10, 2018 - Brayelin Martinez and Bethania De La Cruz scored 12 points each as the Dominican Republic beat Mexico 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-15) in the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship on Wednesday afternoon.
Lisvel Mejia added 10 points in the victory for the Dominicans.
Andrea Rangel led Mexico with 14 points in the loss.
The Dominican Republic came in with a record of 3-4, while Mexico was 1-6.
The Dominicans took control of the match early and never relinquished it. Mexico was unable to contend with the attack and block of their opponents.
After playing very well against Brazil in a four-set loss on Monday, Mexico did not display the same energy on this day.
The Dominican Republic dominated in all phases of the game on the way to the win.
The Dominicans jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first set, scoring quickly on attack. A service ace by Monica Moreno pulled Mexico within a point at 9-8. De La Cruz ended a long rally with a soft spike into space and the Dominican Republic moved ahead 15-9. The Dominicans kept the pressure on, scoring quickly and took the set 25-17.
The second set looked very much like the first, with the Dominican Republic moving out to an 8-2 advantage with power and defense. Melanie Parra beat the Dominican block with a spike as Mexico scored three straight points to make it 8-5. Mexico kept is closer in the set with better reception and offense, but the Dominicans continued to appear in control with good defense. Samantha Bricio delivered a nice spike for Mexico to cut the deficit to 20-15. The Dominicans took the set 25-18 on a block by Martinez.
The third set went just like the first two, with Mexico unable to penetrate the Dominican block and falling behind 8-3 at the first TTO. Mexico moved within three points at 15-12, but could get no closer. A nice tap by Prisilla Rivera put the Dominicans in front 16-12 at the second TTO. They went on to wrap up the set and match 25-15 on an ace by Gina Mambru.