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MIAMI, Florida, July 4, 2009.-
Aurea Cruz hammered a match-high 27 points and
Sarai Alvarez added 20 of her own leading Puerto
Rico to a 25-22, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20 victory
over USA and claiming the bronze medal of the
Eighth Women’s Pan American Cup held at
University of Miami.
It is the first medal for Puerto Rico in the
history of the competition with its best finish
being a fourth place in last year’s edition.
Sheila Ocasio and Yarimar Rosa each contributed
8 points to the victory of Puerto Rico which
outscored USA 61-48 in the attacks department.
Danielle Scott-Arruda led USA with 14 points and
Nancy Metcalf and Kristin Richards added 13 and
11 respectively.
“This victory represents a good finish to the
tournament,” an elated Puerto Rican Head Coach
Carlos Cardona said in the post-match press
conference. “We played with a lot confidence as
it was hard to go through the U.S. defense.”
“Congratulations to Puerto Rico as they
certainly deserved to win the match,” U.S. Head
Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “We came out flat
and never got into any rhythm. Puerto Rico was
able to make the big points when they needed
them.”
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