Marcos Kwiek after the loss to the United States: “We didn’t play at our usual level”
The manager of the Reinas del Caribe, Marcos Kwiek, was self-critical after the Dominican volleyball team’s 3-0 defeat against the United States in the NORCECA tournament semifinal. The strategist admitted that the national team could not execute its game plan against an opponent that imposed conditions from the opening whistle.
There was only one team that played, which was the United States. We practically didn’t play. Without taking credit away from them, as they had a very good performance, we failed a lot and were not at the level that characterizes us.
Marcos Kwiek, national team manager.
Key match factors
Kwiek pointed out that the effectiveness of the American serve was the determining factor of the match, as it destabilized the Dominican reception and allowed the rival block to position itself more comfortably. For the coach, this setback must be transformed into a fundamental lesson with an eye on the great goal of the year: qualification for the Olympic Games.
Focus on the medal match against Cuba
Following this result, the Queens of the Caribbean are preparing to compete for the bronze medal against Cuba this Wednesday. The Brazilian coach emphasized that the Cuban squad has shown significant evolution in their game, so the Dominican team must take the court with maximum concentration.
- The team will conduct video sessions and tactical training to fine-tune details.
- The match against Cuba will serve as a prelude to the future encounters both countries will have in the Olympic qualifier.
- The main goal remains to maintain the consistency needed to secure a spot in the Olympic Games.
When asked about the frequency with which they will face the Cubans in upcoming matches, Kwiek remained focused on preparation. “These are interesting situations where we face the same opponent multiple times. Now it’s time to study, stay focused, and go out to battle,” concluded the Alofoke Deportes manager.
