The Dominican Republic clinched their first victory in the women’s volleyball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a crucial 3-1 win over the Netherlands on Saturday at the South Paris Arena 1. This win guarantees them a spot in the quarterfinals, set for Tuesday.
Despite losing the first set 22-25, Las Reinas del Caribe rallied to secure the match 25-21, 25-17, 28-26. Key performances came from Yonkaira Peña, who led with 28 points, and Jineiry Martinez with 13 points. Libero Brenda Castillo also made a significant impact with 26 digs.
In contrast, Japan, despite a decisive 3-0 win over Kenya, faces elimination. Their advancement to the quarterfinals hinges on France’s match against the USA. Only a 3-0 win by France would allow Japan to progress. The match was notable for Sarina Koga, who, in her final tournament, scored 16 points and received a heartfelt farewell from fans and teammates (if this was Japan’s last game at the Olympic Games). Koga, a cornerstone of the Japanese team since 2015, bid adieu to her illustrious career with this emotional game.
