United States takes Down Canada in Second Win at NORCECA U19

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, July 15, 2024. - United States downed Canada 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-15) for their second victory in the Girls´U19 NORCECA Continental Championship at the Jorge Galeano Gymnasium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

With a perfect 2-0 record in pool A, the United States will conclude the preliminary round on Tuesday at 4:00 pm against Puerto Rico (1-1). Canada, with a 1-1 record, will face Cuba (0-2) at 6:00 pm in their last pool-play match.

The Americans finished with a huge advantage in the statistics: attacking (39-14), blocking (10-4), and serving (7-0); but committed more errors (29-19).

Middle blocker Manaia Ogbechie and outside hitter Audrey Flanagan led the United States with 13 points each. Ogbechie ended with 7 kill points, 3 blocks, and 3 service points. Flanagan recorded 9 kill points, 2 blocks, and 2 aces. Kelly Kinney contributed 10 points.

On the Canadian side, Sydney Bell, Abby Wasutyk, and Alyssa Flack each scored three points.

Manaia Ogbechie, top scorer for the United States: “In the first part of the first set we were figuring out Canada and then we started playing our game, once that happened it was perfect. Our game is consistent, it’s like a snake, we wrap around, and we coil together. We are always cheering one another”.

Kylie Savin, libero for Canada: “We communicated better in the first set, we made less errors and we were disciplined, playing it clean to stay closer to them. Tomorrow, we need to use our pins more, hitting strong and running a few more balls. We must make sure the passing stays strong”.