As expected, the United States' Women's Vollyeball team advanced to the semifinals after defeating the Dominican Republic on Tuesday in three straight sets 25-14, 25-21, 25-22.
The U.S. started the game with a quick 2-0 lead that quickly turned to 11-2 in their favor as the Dominican Republic could not find an answer for the U.S's dominance.
The Dominican Republic cut the lead to six as they went on a 5-2 run, but this was not enough. The U.S. finished the first set on a 12-7 run. Taking the 1-0 lead.
The Dominican Republic scored first in the second set and clinged on to a lead that never went above two points. The USA tied the set at 10 and never looked back. They went on a quick run to take the 14-10 advantage. The U.S. maintained a six point lead heading into the final stretch of the set. With the score 23-17 the U.S.had the Dominican Republic with their backs against the wall. The Domicans did not fold over.
They scored four of five points and cut the lead to just three, the scoreboard read 24-21, but after a failed block by Annerys Victoria Vargas Valdez, the U.S. took the second set.
Announcers noticed how poorly the U.S. played in the second set as they allowed the Dominican Republic to hang around. They should have closed out the second set sooner.
The same could be said about the way the third set concluded.
The Dominicans fought and battled in the third set, making it tough for the U.S. to gain ground. They held on to a 6-6 tie until, finally, the U.S. broke through with a flurry of spikes that led to a 4-0 run.
The U.S. eventually extended their lead to six as the scoreboard read 18-12 in their favor. At that point, the Dominican ladies caught fire and scored four straight points to get within two points of tying. The U.S. interrupted the streak with a score and then the Dominicans answered back with two points.
It was now just a one point game, 19-18 in favor of the Americans.
Team U.S. went on a 5-2 streak, sitting just a point away from closing out the set and match, but they could not put the Dominicans away.
The Dominican Republic once again closed the gap and came two points from tying the match. After a net interference by Bethania de la Cruz de Peña, the U.S. claimed the victory and proceeded on to the semifinals
They will now await for a winner between South Korea and Italy.
