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TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 17, 2022.- The
United States captured the Men’s Pan American
Cup NORCECA Final Six bronze medal defeating
Puerto Rico 3-0 (27-25, 25-22, 25-23) on Sunday
at the Amado Nervo Auditorium of Tepic, Nayarit.
The United States finished third place with a
4-3 win-loss record. This is the U.S. second
consecutive bronze medal at the Final Six event.
Puerto Rico, in fourth place, closed with a 2-5
record. The U.S. also beat Puerto Rico in
straight sets in the preliminary round.
The U.S. led 47-37 in attacks and 7-5 in blocks,
both teams scored one point from serves, while
they committed 27 unforced errors against 22
from Puerto Rico.
Four Americans finished with double-figures, led
by outside hitter Brett Wildman who scored 14
points on 13 kills and one block, outside hitter
Kyle McCauley with 13 points from 12 kills and
one block, middle blocker Nyerovwome Omene
tallied 11 points on 7 kills, 3 blocks and one
ace, and opposite hitter Francesco Sani with 10
points.
Puerto Rico’s offense was led by outside hitter
Pelegrin Vargas with 12 points on 10 kills, one
block and one ace, followed by opposite hitter
Gregory Torres with 10 points all on kills.
Merrick McHenry, Middle blocker of United
States:
“This was a super long tournament; it was so
fun. I love my team and coaches; they are the
guys I get to work every day. We had a great
tournament. It was a very high level tournament,
I think we all got better, and it will
definitely help us for the future, just to play
competitive teams and good volleyball. We play a
little bit older than we are, most of us are
still in school, in the university and this is a
great experience for us youngsters”.
Andy Read, Head Coach of United States:
“To go home with a medal and to play that hard
it validates all the hard work these young men
do. This group is working for the future, this
is not the finish line for them, it’s way ahead
of us. We played better and better even though
we lost to Canada in semifinals”. |
