United States cruise past Nicaragua

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 29, 2014 - The United States defeated Nicaragua 25-12, 25-13, 25-20 on Tuesday in a Pool C match to start the NORCECA Men’s U21 Continental Championship at the “Palacio de los Deportes”.

Team USA (1-0) will face Cuba on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. while Nicaragua (0-1) will play Mexico at 2 p.m.

United States also led kills 38-19 and blocks (5-1). Nicaragua scored on 24 errors while committing 27.

U.S. outside hitter Brenden Sander led all scorers with nine points, six with spikes and two aces while middle blocker Jeffrey Jendryk II added eight points with both them playing only in two sets. Outside hitter Josue Castillo paced Nicaragua with six points on five attacks and one ace.

Quotes:

Bryan Orozco, Captain of Nicaragua: “The attitude is very important. We must have more courage; we can give more than we did. I think that we can to be better. I will try to be the first to encourage my teammates.”

Osman Hernandez, Coach of Nicaragua: “I had four new players in the court, they were nervous and shy. When I included the others players, with more experience, I saw the team better. They made a good game and we had 20 points against United State in the third set.”

Soren Kindem, USA Captain: “Each player fought for the points, they worked very hard. The team will play game by game and will be better. Our attitude was important, but I think that our game and ability are good too. We always are thinking in the next set, the next game, never look back.”

Daniel Friend, USA Coach: “We did a good job in the first two sets. We slowed the intensity in the third, but thank to the effort we won. We need to work more the serves, we will be better with the training. We expected to win 3-0, we had difficulties but we won.”