Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic‘s Mambru, the top scorer of her team with 25 points in this match, pressed Chinese Taipei to call for a time-out at 1-4 with her powerful serves, and Dominican Republic continued to lead at the first TTO 8-7.
At 11-7 Dominican Republic‘s Vargas Valdez seemed to have a minor injury at her ankle, but recovered in no time and stayed on court. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei struggled to keep on with the scores, but Dominican Republic still led the second TTO with four points. Chinese Taipei called for another time-out at 15-20. However the situation did not change much after the time-out, and with a fierce attack, Dominican Republic sealed the first set 25-18.
Dominican Republic led the second set 6-2, but Chinese Taipei‘s top scorer Chen Wan Ting (21 pts) and captain Teng Yen Min (15 pts) led their team to level the scores to 7-7. However, Dominican Republic still led the first TTO 8-7. The two teams struggled to take lead, until Chinese Taipei finally had a three-point advantage at the second TTO, 16-13. Dominican Republic called for a time-out at 15-19, and they managed to narrow the gap to 18-20, when Chinese Taipei called for a time-out. After the time-out, Chinese Taipei demonstrated excellent defense and attacks, and finally won the set 25-21.
The third set began with a struggle, and Chinese Taipei managed to take lead at the first TTO 8-6. But Dominican Republic revived, and led at the second TTO 16-15. Dominican Republic drew away afterwards with solid blocks, and took the set 25-18.
Not affected by two sets’ loss, in the third set Chinese Taipei came from behind and led against Dominican Republic at the first TTO 8-7, winning four points in a row. Dominican Republic, in attempt to stop the host’s aggressiveness, put on court solid blocks and fierce quick spikes, leading 18-16. However, Chen Wan Ting led Chinese Taipei to come from behind and lead at 21-20. The two teams struggled to and fro, until Dominican Republic finally excelled and won the set 25-22, and the match 3-1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22).
