All four tickets up for grabs the weekend at the North & Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA) qualifiers for the 2018 FIVB Women’s World Championship were punched with a day to spare as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico made Japan 2018.
In Port of Spain, host Trinidad & Tobago scored a historic win over Costa Rica 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-22) and clinched their first ever World Championship in the history of the competition. Trinidad & Tobago were led by Sinaed Jack who scored 15 points, while Krystie Esdelle added another 13.
Mexico had beaten Dominica 3-0 (25-7, 25-13, 25-7) in 54 minutes, on the back of 16 points by Melanie Parra. It will be Mexico’s eighth appearance in a World Championship, They return to the competition for a second time running after finishing 21st in 2014.
Another pool in Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico shut out Guatemala 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-13) to make their seventh overall and fifth straight World Championship. Puerto Rico’s best finish in the history of the competition was a 10th place in 2002 in Germany.
Hosts Dominican Republic wrapped up the day claiming the last remaining ticket with a 3-0 (15-14, 15-11, 25-6) sweep of Jamaica, led by Bethania de la Cruz’s 11 points. The Dominican Republic, who stunned the world with a 5th-place finish in 2014, will be competing in the World Championship for the eighth time.
Source and Photo: FIVB
