The U.S. improves to 2-0 in the X Women Pan American Cup – Volleyball News
The qualifying tournament for next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix, X Women’s Pan American Cup, has seen an early leader in the U.S. as they created an undefeated record of 2-0 so far in the tournament.
The 12-team event being played at Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juarez Pavilion in Mexico kicked off on July 1 with squads from NORCECA (North, Central American and Caribbean Volleyball Federation). The team from United States was placed in Pool B, where
it was joined by Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, and Puerto Rico. The American Women’s National Volleyball squad was challenged by Peru in the opening match on Friday and the Peruvian ladies received a straight sets defeat. In the second match
on Saturday, Americans took on the Puerto Rican squad and once again came out on top and improved their record to 2-0.
First match
Under the guidance of coach Hugh McCutcheon, the U.S. team posted a 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, and 25-14) victory over Peru. The match started off in the right direction for the US as Megan Hodge let loose with her powerful serves in the opening minutes of the game.
The Peruvian side defended well but the U.S. attack slowly chipped away at the score and they won the first set with a 5-point margin.
The next two sets were a cake walk for the American women as they demolished the Peruvian squad by winning the second and third sets both at 25-14. The South American women were unable to match the might of the U.S. and crumbled to let last years third place
runner-ups walk away with a clean sweep.
Second match
In the next fixture, the U.S. team came up against Puerto Rico. Both teams had captured their last matches and fans expected a good match. The opening phase of the match was dominated by the American side as they built a lead of 7-2. U.S. Nicole Fawcett
was the star on the US defence as she blocked several attempts and saved crucial points for her team. This allowed Team USA to cruise to a 25-17 set win.
The Puerto Ricans did not do much better in the second set. The Americans pressed the advantage and sent an onslaught of spikes towards the Puerto Rican half. Most hits met their mark and the opposition once again fell 25-17 in the second set. By the time
the third set came around the Americans were circling in for the kill. They made quick work of the Puerto Ricans in the third set and won it 25-17. This marked the second clean sweep in the tournament for the U.S. squad.
The U.S. team is scheduled to take on Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday, 3rd July.
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