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TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 14, 2022.- United
States beats Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-23, 25-16,
27-25) for their first win at the Men’s NORCECA
Final Six Pan American Cup at the Amado Nervo
Auditorium of Tepic, Nayarit.
The U.S. were challenged by Puerto in the final
set, missing four match points before
celebrating the first tournament win and serving
Puerto Rico their first loss. The United States
improved their record 1-2 and Puerto Rico
dropped to 2-1.
United States’ advantage in blocking (9-1) and
in serves (5-0) definitely worked to overcome
Puerto Rico who came from winning to exhausting
five-setters entering day three of the event.
The Americans also held a slim 38-37 margin in
kills. Puerto Rico committed one less error
(25-26) than the U.S.
Outside hitter Kyle McCauley of the United
States led all scorers with 13 points on 7
kills, 5 blocks and one ace, followed by middle
blockers Nyerovwame Omene and Merrick Mchenry
who tallied 11 and 10 points respectively.
Puerto Rico’s top scorer was outside hitter
Pelegrin Vargas with 8 points.
On Thursday the United States plays to host
Mexico and Puerto Rico against Cuba.
Nyerovwame Omene, Middle Blocker of United
States:
“As a team it’s just about steady growth and an
operative incline, we came from losing to Canada
and 3-2 to Cuba and we just focused on our
system and our side of the net, not worrying
about results. From our first performance to
this one, we applied better to our system and
believing in all fourteen guys, in one single
game, one single point”.
Peligrin Vargas, Top scorer of Puerto Rico:
“It was a complicated match, we came in from two
five-set matches, long matches and the body
starts to feel it. United States played well
against Cuba yesterday and they came with good
energy. We must recover as soon as possible”.
Andy Read, Head Coach of United States:
“I feel great, the guys feel great, it’s our
first win in the tournament after a great
matches against Canada and Cuba yesterday and
today we beat Puerto Rico. Our ability to play
at the level we do, I thought we played better
last night and a little drop today; it’s really
hard for young players to play hard all the
time, but that’s what they have to do”. |
