Brazil survived a first-set scare before dispatching the Dominican Republic in straight sets 26-24, 25-19, 25-18 to claim the top spot of Division 1 in the World Volleyball Grand Prix on Sunday.

Led by team captain Bethania De La Cruz De Pena, the Dominican Republic forced the defending champions to a tie break at 24. But the Brazilians were able to adjust to the hard-hitting De Pena and blocked her spikes to take the set 26-24.

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Brazil proved how tough they are at the net as team captain Fabiana Claudino, Fernanda Rodrigues and Thaisa Menezes combined for 16 blocks that ultimately led to their shutout victory.

Brazil coach Jose Roberto Lages was happy with the result of the game, saying he was keen on improving their technical skills which included blocking, defending, and attacking.

"Leaving Italy with nine points makes me more than happy," Lages said.

Their win puts them on top of the field of 12 countries with a total of nine points. Turkey, Serbia and Russia are tied at second with seven points, while China is in fifth place with four points after losing a five-set thriller against Italy 18-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 10-15.

All the 12 winning nations will now proceed to their next destination. The teams have been segregated into new pools which will start Friday.

Pool D will be played at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paolo, Brazil and will play hosts to Brazil, Russia, South Korea and the United States in another week of round-robin.

Pool E will have host nation Turkey, Serbia, Germany and the Dominican Republic that will hold the event at the Baskent Volleyball Hall in Ankara.

Rounding off the field of 12 are China, Japan, Italy and Thailand where the Chinese hope to bounce back at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hong Kong.

TagsFabiana Claudino, Fernanda Rodrigues, Thaisa Menezes, Bethania De La Cruz De Pena, Jose Roberto Lages, volleyball