The Dominican Republic are making their second FIVB World Championships appearance this year, returning to the competition after 44 years. In their sole previous performance they ranked 22nd in 1974.
The Dominican Republic have been consistently overwhelmed by the volleyball powerhouses of their region and have never won a title in any world or major continental event.
Their best success was their gold medal at the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games in Mexico, after beating Puerto Rico 3-2 in the final. This complements their three silver medals, once at the 2006 Pan-American Cup and twice at the Central American & Caribbean Games in 1962 and 1986. This year, at the Central American & Caribbean Games in Colombia, the Dominican Republic ranked sixth.