Tokyo, Japan, May 15, 2016 - Two teams on the opposite ends of success so far at the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament will meet on the third competition day in Japan. The Dominican Republic, which have not won any matches yet, will challenge Italy, which emerged victorious from both their games so far.
Head-to-head
• These teams met at each of the last six editions of the World Grand Prix (2010-2015). Italy won four of these meetings - 3-1 in 2011 and 2012, 3-0 in 2014 and 2015 - while the Dominican Republic won on two occasions - five-set wins in 2010 and 2013.
• The Dominican Republic also prevailed in a five-setter in their meeting at the 2014 World Championship.
• The Dominican Republic and Italy met once at the Olympic Games, four years ago in London. Italy won 3-1.
Dominican Republic
• The Dominican Republic are still looking for their first victory after losing against Thailand (3-1) and Peru (3-0).
• Kazakhstan are the only other team to have lost their first two matches at this World Olympic Qualification tournament.
• In their previous campaign in 2008 they lost three matches and failed to qualify after they became fourth.
• Elizabeth Martinez Brayelin has scored a team high 32 points.
• Niverka Dharlenis Marte Frica is one of the best setters at this tournament, with an average of 11.43 per set.
Italy
• Italy is one of the two countries to win both first matches along with hosts Japan.
• Italy proved too strong for Korea (3-1) and Thailand (3-1).
• The last time they won the first three matches was at World Olympic Qualification tournament in 2000, when they won the first six and finished first.
• Italy have not missed the Olympic Games since 1996, when they won only two matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament.
• Cristiana Chirichella has 40 block/rebound attempts at his tournament, 13 more than the next two players, Erika Araki (JPN) and Robin de Kruijf (NED).