Russia endured some nervous moments before finishing their Pool B schedule on Sunday with a 100 per cent record after their 3-1 victory over Dominican Republic at the FIVB Volleyball World Championship for Women in Sapporo.

The Russians completed a 5-0 record in the group following their 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19 win and can go into the second round in Osaka with genuine title hopes.

Russia lost three sets in their previous four matches, to China, Germany and Azerbaijan, and will be kicking themselves for conceding one to the Dominicans, whose only victory came against Central American rivals Mexico.

For the Dominicans, their best form came in their final match. Certainly, they would have given Azerbaijan a tougher time had they played this way two days earlier.

Defeat for the Dominicans ensured Azerbaijan their place in the second round.

Russia's great wall of Elena Godina, Ekaterina Gamova and Yulia Merkulova can keep out the world's best attackers and Dominican Republic were always going to struggle.

Credit to the likes of Nuris Arias, Annerys Vargas and Milagros Cabral for their ability to snatch points here and there with spikes and blocks.

From 8-5, Russia stretched their lead to 16-8 with Godina sending down a series of rocket serves that their opponents could barely handle.

Gamova was sharp on the left wing, teasing the Dominican defence with spikes and deft tips.

She also turned up on the right to send down a few scorchers. Vargas had her moments for Dominica but Russia's depth from all parts of the court was decisive. Gamova ended the set with a trademark thunder spike from the left.

Dominica went 4-3 and 5-4 up in the second set but poor serving allowed Russia to level it each time.

Though Russia regained the lead, Dominica kept them within sight and edged ahead again at 16-14 going into the second time out.

A hint of panic crept into the Russian camp as coach Giovanni Caprara called two time outs with his team trailing 15-19 and 16-21.

It didn't help as Cabral and Vargas punished the Russians from both wings. Gamova brought Russia back to 23-19 but Dominica prevailed in the set, levelling the match with some quick work down the middle.

Russia needed their three giants to play as a unit, just like they did in the first set and in most sets over the past week.

But it seemed that only Gamova was willing to do her part as she fought to haul Russia to 4-4 from 2-4 down.

Arias was the Dominicans best weapon and she helped the Dominicans go 6-5 up.

But a desperate Russia scrambled to take an 8-6 lead at the first time out.

Try as they might, and despite their superiority on paper, Russia just could not get away.

Just when it seemed Gamova and Godina had gotten their acts together, the Dominicans hit back, like when they recovered from 8-10 to lead the Russians 12-10.

Shashkova realised she needed to get into the game, playing a key part in helping Russia retake the lead at 16-14.

It was now the Dominicans turn to become nervous, enabling Russia to build an ever-growing lead.

Captain Cosiri Rodriguez tried to spark a fightback but Russia took the set after Godina's sharp downward spike.

Russia could have done without another tight start but the pesky Dominicans kept battling, trailing 7-8 at the first time out.

Whenever Gamova, Godina and Shashkova came out with attacking moves, they found their equals in Vargas, Cabral, Rodriguez and Arias.

Eventually, Russia started to pull away, easing to 17-13 and with victory in sight. Russia finally won the game when the Dominicans sent a smash wide.