Pool E: Dominican Republic – Belgium
Head-to-head
• This will be the first meeting between both teams at the World Championship.
• Dominican Republic have won their last three world championship meetings with teams representing Europe. All three matches came in 2014 and were won in five sets.
• Belgium have played three world championship matches against NORCECA sides. They lost their first meeting 3-0 against Mexico in 1978, but they won both of their meeting in this year's edition against Cuba and Puerto Rico (both 3-0).
Dominican Republic
• Dominican Republic have recorded wins in their last six world championship matches. In their last 24 matches prior to this streak, they also recorded six wins.
• Dominican Republic are one shy of losing 100 sets in the competition. They can become the 18th nation to reach this mark.
• Annerys Victoria Vargas Valdez has the most stuff blocks thus far of all players at this World Championship (22). She has also made the most blocking attempts of all players (87).
• Of all players in the second round, Brenda Castillo is the only with 200+ dig attempts (exactly 200).
Belgium
• Belgium have won their last two matches in the competition. They can win three in a row for the first time since winning four straight in 1956.
• Belgium are making their third World Championship appearance. Of their past two, they recorded the most victories at the 1956 edition with four, a number they could equal with a win against Dominican Republic.
• Charlotte Leys is one of two players with double digit aces at this World Championship. Leys has 11, Croatia’s Mia Jerkov 10.
• Frauke Dirickx has the most running sets of all players active in the second round (115). Her 7.19 average per set is the highest among second rounders as well.