USA Stays Perfect, Puerto Rico Downs Argentina in Pan Am Cup

  0 Wendy Mayer | June 21st, 2017 | International Volleyball, NORCECA volleyball, South American Volleyball, U.S. Women's Volleyball

NORCECA Pan-American Cup 2017

Group A

Columbia 3, Venezuela 0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-15)

United States 3, Mexico 0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-13)

Puerto Rico 3, Argentina 1 (15-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21)

 

The United States moved to 4-0 in Pool A, sweeping Mexico, while Puerto Rico denied Argentina’s bid to stay unbeaten in a four-set affair. Columbia also won on Tuesday.

The Americans are set to face Argentina in Wednesday’s Pool A finale.

 

Columbia 3, Venezuela 0

Columbia racked up 45 kills, nearly matching Venezuela’s total points output (47) with offense alone. Add in eight blocks and six aces and the Columbians made quick work of their foes in a 25-15, 25-17, 25-15 sweep.

“Today our tactical discipline was good, with the power serves, the defense by our libero and the blocking effort provided the conditions to get the victory today,” Columbian coach Antonio Rizola said.

Dayana Segovia led the way with 16 points in an all-around effort, tallying eight kills, four blocks and four aces. Giselle Perez (13) and Maria Margarita Martinez (13) also posted double-digit scoring tallies. Martinez downed a match-high 11 kills, while Perez added 10 putaways, two blocks and an ace.

Maria Jose Perez managed nine points, with eight kills, to lead Venezuela. Captain Desiree Glod and middle blocker Iriarte Aleoscar Blanco added eight points apiece. Blanco tallied three blocks, while Glod added two.

“Today the girls didn’t come out with the same intensity they showed against Mexico, also our reception keeps failing but we came with the goal of move forward and learn from victories and losses,” Venezuelan coach Jhosvanny Chambers said. “Now we have to wait for tomorrow’s match, study the rival, and hopefully the girls bring another attitude.”

 

United States 3, Mexico 0

Annie Drews starred with 15 points, including a match-high 11 kills, as USA dispatched Mexico in just an hour and three minutes. Drews also chipped in two aces and two blocks to the team tally as the U.S. dominated the scoresheet, outblocking the Mexicans 11-2 and serving up 13 aces to just one.

Madison Kingdon added 12 points, with eight putaways and three aces, while Mallory McCage added nine points, including three aces.

Several of the American players who have starred previously rested in the contest, including Rhamat Alhassan and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley. Liz McMahon acted only as a substitute in the contest as did setter Micha Hancock. Lauren Carlini handled setting duties, guiding the United States to 36 kills, while adding four blocks and an ace.

“Our strategy today was neutralize Andrea Rangel who is the main offensive weapon of Mexico,” American coach Karch Kiraly said. “Also we tried to improve our system of communication in the court, something we missed in the match against Puerto Rico.”

Andrea Rangel put up a team-best nine points, all on kills, to pace Mexico.

“We know the United States are a powerhouse so we talked to the girls about not being afraid of making mistakes,” Mexican coach Ricardo Naranjo said. “If you look at the score, the difference was big, but analyzing the plays there are strategies that worked for us and we will continue working.”

 

Puerto Rico 3, Argentina 1

Argentina’s bid to stay perfect in Pam Am Cup play was derailed by Puerto Rico (3-1) in a match decided by just four points.

Argentina took the first set 25-15, but Puerto Rico recovered and stormed back to win three straight set to grab the win. The Argentinians outblocked their foes 12-8, stayed level in aces (8 apiece) and errors (25 apiece). The difference in the match turned out to be a handful of kills (49-41).

“Today at the beginning we were a little bit cold but the pride of representing your country comes out when you are down,” Puerto Rican captain Natalia Valentin said. “We knew that was not our kind of game so we caught the rhythm and several players who came in did a good job. The important thing is we made a team effort.”

Daly Santana was a steady force for Puerto Rico, leading all scorers with 19 points, including 15 kills and three blocks. Shirley Ferrer added 15 points, all on kills, and Naomi Santos chipped in nine points, with seven kills.

Paula Yamila Nizetich put up 15 points for Argentina, including 14 kills. Emilce Sosa (12), Elina Rodriquez (11) and Natalia Aispurua (10) followed. Sosa managed six kills and a match-high six blocks, while Rodriquez served up four aces and Aispurua put up four stuffs.

“We couldn’t keep the concentration of the first set,” Argentinian coach Guillermo Orduna said. “Puerto Rico reacted, started to defend and they closed the rallies. We need to improve that tomorrow because United States have similar characteristics.”

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About Wendy Mayer

Wendy Mayer

Wendy Mayer has worked in athletics media relations for the last 20 years. The Northwest Missouri State alumna is currently senior writer for Volleymob.com after spending the last 15 years with Purdue athletics.

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