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vb101
Advanced Member
808 Posts |
 Posted - 06/28/2010 : 11:02:28 AM
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USA beat Cuba in straight sets for the bronze medal
TIJUANA, Mexico, June 26, 2010 – USA claimed the bronze medal of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup after a straight-set win (25-15, 25-20, 25-17) against Cuba on Saturday.
McCutcheon started Glass at setter, Metcalf at opposite, Akinradewo and Bown at middle blocker, and Larson and Hodge at outside hitter. Sykora was the designated libero for the match.
“Our main goal was to qualify to the Grand Prix but it was good to see our team coming back strong after the loss of last night. We are happy with the victory and happy about going to the Grand Prix next year,” USA Coach Hugh McCutcheon said.
The U.S. out-blocked Cuba 11-6 and held a 3-1 advantage in aces. Cuba managed a slim 38-34 margin in kills and a 21-20 edge in digs. Team USA converted 39.5 percent of its attacks into points with a .302 hitting efficiency (34-8-86). Cuba converted 36.5 percent of its attacks into kills, but mustered just .173 hitting efficiency (38-20-104) with its 20 attack errors.
“We were neutralized at the net like it was the case yesterday,” Cuban Juan Carlos Gala said. “Our game was yesterday or maybe after securing the qualification to the Grand Prix our intensity was not the same. But anyway, USA was the better team on court today.”
Hodge scored her match-high 16 points via 14 kills on 30 swings, one block and an ace. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) chipped in five kills on 11 errorless attacks to go with a match-high five blocks for 11 total points. Jordan Larson (Hooper, Neb.) added seven kills on 20 attacks, one block and an ace for nine points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) contributed seven points with five kills, one block and an ace. Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) was credited with three blocks and a kill for four points, while Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) rounded out the scoring with two kills.
Stacy Sykora (Burleson, Texas) paced the USA defense with seven digs and a team-best nine excellent reception attempts on 12 attempts. Larson added six digs and nine excellent receptions on 16 attempts. Glass provided the U.S. with 12 running sets on 66 attempts.
The U.S. Women’s National Team’s next tournament will be the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix Aug. 6-29, but it will take part in two Red vs. Blue exhibition matches in July. The first exhibition is scheduled for Irvine Valley College (5500 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, Calif.) on July 17 at 7 p.m. PT. The second exhibition is scheduled for St. Margaret’s Episcopal School (31641 LaNovia Avenue, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) on July 24 at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are $5 at the door.
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