Thailand had their moments but still rolled to a 24-26 22-25 24-26 loss at the hands of the Dominican Republic on the opening day of the Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.

The Thai team, powered by Pleumjit Thinkaow and Saymai Paladsrichuay, tried to attack from the start. But the Dominican Republic saved a set point and kept their nerves to win the hard-fought set 26-24.

Thailand, who finished third at last year's Asian Championship, put up a stiff challenge in the second set, but were undone by some unforced errors and lost 22-25.

The Thai girls gave everything they had in the third set against their taller rivals. However, the Dominican Republic, playing without captain Rodriguez Andino Cosiri Argandi, never let the Thais get away and played well to save a set point and edge ahead to end the Thai challenge 26-24 in the tight third set.

"They took advantage of their height, while we could not play consistently well. This was our first match and many of the players were nervous," Thai head coach Nataphon Srisamutnak said after the match.

"We had our chances to take the first and third sets, but my girls blew their chances committing several mistakes. 

"We play the young South Koreans next [today]. We beat them last year in the Asian meet, but we have to play more carefully this time," he said.