USA recovers from a slow start to beat Cuba

GATINEAU, CANADA. Aug. 24, 2024:  USA came back from a close first set to block Cuba from a win today at the Men’s Final Six at the Slush Puppie Centre arena in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

USA won in three sets (33-31, 25-14, 25-17)

The United States led in attack points (40-35) and ace serves (6-3) and dominated in blocking points 18-2. United States made more errors than Cuba 22-19.

USA outside hitter Cooper Robinson had a match-high 15 points (8 attack points, 5 blocks, 2 aces). Nolan Flexen and Zachary Rama each earned 14 points, also for USA.

Thiago Suarez Mendoza and Bryan Camino Martinez led Cuba with 10 points apiece.

USA’s only loss so far was to Canada yesterday. Cuba has one win and four losses in the tournament.

USA player #23 DiAeris McRaven commented: “We needed to make a couple of adjustments early in the game. And then once we were able to adapt to the situation, as you saw in the second set, we were able to pick it up really quickly. Everybody was getting blocks. Our ability to adapt in the middle of the game was huge and critical for our win today.  … We needed that little kick in the butt in the first set to remind us that we have to play hard if we want to be in that gold medal match.”

USA Head Coach Andy Read said: “The first set was huge. Winning that set in overtime gave us momentum and we just kept rolling…. We want to compete for the gold medal and now we need to get ready for tomorrow and have a great match.”