US team qualifies for the semifinals from Pool A of XI Women’s Pan Am Cup – Volleyball News
Women’s team from the United States booked a slot in the influential semifinals of the XI Pan American Cup, which is underway in Cd. Juarez, Mexico from July 11 to 21.
US team defeated Dominican Republic in the decisive fifth match on Monday that helped the winning side to advance to the semis. The opponents staged a great fight and took the match to five sets. However, the US musketeers proved their supremacy on the net
and earned victory, 3-2 (24-26, 24-26, 25-15, 25-22, 15-12).
Both teams ended the preliminary round-robin of XI Women’s Pan Am Cup with a total of 18 points apiece. The USA closed the prelims with 4-1 record whereas the Dominicans suffered the loss of two matches in the first round and put up with 3-2 record.
Dominican Republic finished the first two sets of the match with identical score of 26-24 and provided back-to-back losses to the rival side. The Americans proved their potential in the third set and claimed 10-point win, which proved to be a jump-start
for USA. The American team followed the winning route and created the tie of game score in the fourth set. Dominican Republic was dragged under pressure and dropped fifth decisive set that led USA to victory.
USA’s Nancy Metcalf exhibited an eye-catching on the net and totalled match-high 28 points. She was followed by Kristin Richards 21 points. Lauren Gibbemeyer also went into double-figure score and contributed to the overall success of the team. She added
15 points in the match.
Dominican Republic was backed-up by Bethania De la Cruz and Gina Mambru, who had 22 and 21 points, respectively. They fought bravely, but could not change the fate of their team.
“Dominican Republic is one of the strongest teams in the world and we are happy to get the victory,” USA’s captain Stacy Sykora said. “But we had to put this one in the past because the tournament is still going and we need to see the future.”
“I think the fans enjoyed the match,” Dominican Republic’s coach Marcos Kwiek said. “We won the first two sets but both were 26-24. It was the first game for Bethania and the tournament is still open. Our priority is to qualify to the Grand Prix and prepare
the team for London.
Dominican Republic’s Rivera stated that her team lost concentration in the third set, which created an opportunity for USA to take over the game.
USA’s coach Reed Sunahara seemed totally satisfied with his team’s performance. He congratulated them for victory.
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