FIVB Women's VOLLEYBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010JAPAN

Dominican Annerys Vargas spikes between Americans Megan Hodge and Christa Harmotto during Friday's victory in Pan Am Cup semifinals

Tijuana, Mexico, June 25, 2010 - The Dominican Republic secured a ninth consecutive podium position in the Women's Volleyball Pan American Cup after defeating USA in four sets. The Dominicans will dispute the gold medal with Peru, who handed Cuba a stunning straight-sets loss on Friday in Tijuana, Baja California.

The Dominican side will be playing in the gold medal match for third consecutive year and sixth overall of the nine editions of the intercontinental competition, a qualifier to the FIVB World Grand Prix. They won it in only once, in 2008 in Mexicali, Baja California.
In other classification matches for the 5-8 positions on Friday, Argentina held off a resilient Canada in five sets, Puerto Rico also prevailed in five sets against Brazil and Mexico defeated Trinidad & Tobago in four sets.

Dominican Republic vs USA
Dominican Republic came back from one set down and played spectacular volleyball to defeat USA 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16) advancing to the gold medal match of the for third consecutive year. Prisilla Rivera led four Dominicans in double digits with 20 points while Annerys Vargas, Altagracia Mambru and Lisvel Eve compiled 15, 14 and 12 points respectively. Americans Jordan Larson and Foluke Akiradewo each had 12 points for the defeated side.

Peru vs Cuba
Peru scored a stunning straight-sets victory against Cuba advancing to the gold medal match. The scores were 25-18, 25-23, 25-23. Jessenia Uceda and Karla Ortiz topped the winning side with 14 and 13 points respectively while Yulissa Zamudio charted 9. Cuban Kenia Carcaces had a match-high 18 points and Rachel Sanchez compiled 9.

Puerto Rico vs Brazil
Puerto Rico scored a dramatic five-set victory over Brazil (25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 17-25, 15-12) advancing to a match for the fifth position. Sarai Alvarez converted 27 points, while Stephanie Enright finished with 15, Alexandra Oquendo added 12 and Tatiana Encarnacion contributed 10. Brazilian Gabriela Guimaraes, registered 17 points, Ana Beatriz Silva had 14 and Sthefanie Tiele and Carolina Wond Held charted 13 and 10 respectively. Argentina v Canada

Argentina vs Canada
Argentina defeated Canada in an epic battle of five sets (25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 23-25, 15-8) and will play Puerto Rico for fifth place. Argentinean Georgina Pinedo converted 23 points while Emilce Sosa tallied 19. Florencia Carlotto had 14 points, Lucía Fresco added 11 and Leticia Boscacci contributed 10 to the win. Canada relied on Sarah Pavan, who finished with 20 points while Sherline Holness charted 13, Jenniffer Hinze notched 12. Tonya Mokelki also contributed 11.

Mexico vs Trinidad & Tobago
Mexico claimed the ninth position by defeating Trinidad & Tobago 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 26-24). Andrea Rangel compiled 28 points and Samantha Bricio contributed 17 to the Mexican victory. Kelly-Anne Billingy had 17 points for the losers while Sinead Jack and Channon Thompson added 14 and 11 respectively.

(FIVB)