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HAVANA, Cuba, October 7, 2022.- United States
defeated Cuba in the second semifinal also
extended to five sets, with the qualification to
the 2023 World Championship, and will face
Mexico this Saturday for the Men’s U21 Pan
American title, supported by the fans at Ciudad
Deportiva.
Just like it happened in the challenge before
won by Mexico to Canada, team USA dominated the
first two sets (25-21 y 25-14), but the hosts
reacted supported by the crowd and took the
following (20-25 y 24-26) to even the scores of
the exciting contest, nevertheless the visitors
controlled their emotions better, committed less
errors and deserved the win 15-12.
Five players scored double figures, led by
Zachary Rama with 16 points and followed by
outside hitter Noah Roberts, opposite Shane
Wetzel, and middles Nyerovwome Omene and Marc
Smith, all with 11 points.
Cuban outside hitter Bryan Camino led all
scorers with 24 tallies, joined by opposite
Alejandro Miguel González who added 16, they
were the only ones with double digits.
The Americans led in blocks (15-8) and serves
(8-6) and committed fewer errors (33-37), while
the hosts scored two kills more (51-49).
Andy Read, head coach of United States said “two
good teams faced each other in a five-set
battle. In the first two we played very well,
they did it better the next two, but in the end
we won. Qualifying to Worlds means a lot to
these athletes that couldn’t play it last year
because of covid-19. The crowd elevated the game
level and the players responded to that. I loved
the atmosphere of the Hall. Tomorrow we will go
out to give our all, I hope we come out good”.
Captain Andrew Rowan gladly said “it was a great
match, and the crowd was marvelous, I couldn’t
feel better. Cuba is a physical team, they
blocked and attacked big. My team is great, I
love them and qualifying to Worlds is
incredible, it will be a process, but it’s
incredible”.
Jesús Cruz, head coach of Cuba, said “we started
with many deficiencies and the United States
took advantage of it, they won the first two,
but despite the number of errors in serves we
turned the match around and we evened the score
fighting strong. In the end the number of games
we lack to balance at difficult moments weighs,
our opponent supported the pressure better than
us, in their technical performance you can see
they are players in better shape. We came out to
battle, we were close, now tomorrow we must
fight for bronze”.
Setter Jonathan Mc Kentochi said “we began with
many deficiencies, but we recovered in the third
set and in the tie-break, anyone could have won
or lose, United States did it better, but we
have no doubts nor with a bad flavor that we
didn’t put up a fight to win. Our fans supported
us all the time, even if we were behind, they
never gave up, they lifted us, that’s a good
crowd, we immensely appreciate it.
Tomorrow we are going for bronze against Canada”.
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