PR falls to DR at Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship

Puerto Rico fell to defending champion the Dominican Republic in four sets on Sunday in its final group-stage match of the 2026 Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship in Santo Domingo.

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico fell in four sets to defending champion the Dominican Republic on Sunday in its final group-stage match of the 2026 Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship at the Prof. Ricardo Gioriver Arias Volleyball Palace in Santo Domingo.

The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-23) to finish the group stage undefeated (3-0) in Group B and advance directly to the tournament semifinals.

The match’s first set, which went Puerto Rico’s way, 25-21, was the Dominican Republic’s lone set loss during the group stage. Puerto Rico finished third with a 1-2 record and were to face the United States in the quarterfinals on Monday.

After Puerto Rico took the first set, the Dominican Republic prevailed 25-19 in the second set and 25-21 in the third before closing out a hard-fought fourth set, 25-23.

The Dominican Republic held advantages of 65-56 in attacks, 11-9 in blocks and 4-2 in aces. Puerto Rico committed fewer errors, 16 compared to the Dominicans’ 21.

Dominican captain Brayelin Martínez was the match’s top scorer with 24 points, followed by her sister Jineiry Martínez with 21. Gaila González contributed 20 points and Yonkaira Peña added 10.

Decelise Champion led Puerto Rico with 16 points, followed by Paola Santiago with 15 points and Valeria Vázquez with 14.