In a significant step towards securing their place in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals in Lodz, the USA women`s national team defeated the Dominican Republic 3-1 in Arlington on Thursday. This home victory improves the Americans` record to 6-4 with 17 points, placing them just above the qualification threshold for the quarterfinals in the current VNL standings. The Dominican Republic`s record now stands at 4-6 with 10 points, putting them in 11th place with only a slim mathematical chance of reaching the Finals.
Although the Dominican Republic won a hard-fought first set with a score of 23-25, the USA team rallied and controlled the subsequent three sets, securing a 3-1 victory with set scores of 25-19, 25-16, and 25-20. The winning point came from an outside hit by Logan Eggleston.
Eggleston contributed 10 points, all from attacks. Avery Skinner was the USA`s top scorer with 18 points, including two aces and a block. Middle blocker Tia Jimerson was highly effective in attack with a 60% success rate and added 14 points, including four blocks and an ace.
Making her VNL debut, middle blocker Tia Jimerson commented to VBTV: “We’ve been working really hard in the gym and today we just wanted to show out chemistry and hard work, and I think we did that. It’s amazing! I’m just so grateful for the opportunity just to be out here to compete with these girls.”
For the Dominican Republic, opposite hitter Gaila Gonzalez was the match`s highest scorer with 19 points, including four blocks and two aces. Outside hitter and captain Brayelin Martinez contributed 15 points, and middle blocker Jineiry Martinez scored 10 points for the `Caribbean Queens`.
VNL action is set to continue with the next match in Chiba, Japan, on Friday, featuring Bulgaria against France.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick