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Posted - 06/28/2010 : 10:54:46 AM
Dominican Republic plays spectacular volleyball to reach gold medal match
TIJUANA, Mexico, June 25, 2010 – Dominican Republic came back from one set down and played spectacular volleyball to defeat USA 3-1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16) advancing to the gold medal match of the Women’s Pan American Cup for third consecutive year.
Prisilla Rivera led four Dominicans in double digits with 20 points while Annerys Vargas, Altagracia Mambru and Lisvel Eve compiled 15, 14 and 12 points respectively. Americans Jordan Larson and Foluke Akiradewo each had 12 points for the defeated side.
“Today we played as a team and followed the instructions with discipline,” Dominican Captain Milagros Cabral said. “We really came prepared to play five sets because always there is a battle between these two teams. Making the finals was one of our goals and we accomplished it.”
Dominican Republic’s Coach Marcos Kwiek added: “Of all the tournaments I have been at the helm of the Dominican team this has been our worst but today we had our best match of the competition. We came prepared to play five sets against a tough American team and we have been working very hard for several months.”
American Captain Nancy Metcalf said: “Their defense was impressive. Our team needs to improve and play the kind of game we have been practicing for many months.”
Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) and Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) led the U.S. with 12 points apiece. Larson tallied her points with nine kills on 29 attempts to go with two blocks and an ace. Akinradewo scored her dozen points with nine kills on 23 attacks and three blocks. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) charted eight points, all on kills. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) collected five kills and three blocks for eight points. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) was credited with three kills and three blocks for six points. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) scored all four of her points on blocks, while her former Penn State teammates Christa Harmotto (Aliquippa, Pa.) and Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) had matching four points. Ogonna Nnamani (Bloomington, Ill.) rounded out the scoring with one point
McCutcheon started Glass at setter, Metcalf at opposite, Akinradewo and Harmotto at middle blocker, and Larson and Hodge at outside hitter. Sykora was the designated libero for the match. Barboza was a sub in the first two set and started the final two sets. Nnamani and Thompson were subs in the first three sets, then started the final set. Bown came off the bench in the third set and started the fourth.
Team USA out-blocked Dominican Republic 17-14 at the net, while Dominican Republic had a slim 52-49 advantage in digs. Both teams were held to one service ace. Dominican Republic’s offense converted 32.0 percent of its attacks into points and held the Americans to a 25.0 percent on attacks.
Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) tallied a team-high 18 digs and had 15 excellent service receptions on 22 attempts. Larson added nine digs and 16 excellent service receptions on defense. Glass provided 48 running sets, while Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) added nine.
USA’s Coach Hugh McCutcheon stated: “It was a great match. It’s always a battle between us and today they were the better team. Now we have to go back and prepare for tomorrow’s match.”
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