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PRESS RELEASE 30/06/2009


United States Battles Past Puerto Rico 3-1

MIAMI, Florida, June 30, 2009.- The United States edged Puerto Rico 25-15, 25-20, 24-26, 25-23 in an emotional battle of unbeaten teams on Tuesday evening during the final day of five consecutive pool play matches during the Eighth Women’s Pan American Cup at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center.
  
 U.S. (5-0), as the winner of Pool A, earns an automatic berth into the semifinal round on July 3. In addition, the Americans earned a berth in to the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix with the victory and semifinal berth (top three NORCECA teams in Pan American Cup earn berths). With the loss, Puerto Rico finishes second in Pool A with a 4-1 record and will play in the quarterfinal round versus Pool B’s third-place team on July 2.

 

 Kristin Richards and Jordan Larson contributed matching 18 points for the U.S. in the victory, while Nancy Metcalf added 17 points. Danielle Scott-Arruda chipped in 10 points for Team USA.
  
 Puerto Rico was led by Aurea Cruz’s match-high 21 points, while Sarai Alvarez added 15 points. Yarimar Rosa charted 10 points off the bench.

 

 Team USA out-blocked Puerto Rico 13-4 and held a 5-1 ace advantage. Both teams committed an uncharacteristic number of errors – 28 for Puerto Rico and 27 for USA.

 

 “Puerto Rico is a very good team and is well-coached,” U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “On our side of the net, we played within our system and that may have been the difference as we were able to win a few more points.”

 

  “This was exciting match,” Scott-Arruda said. “Puerto Rico did a really good at challenging us, but we played with heart and won points when needed.”

 

 “Congratulations to USA for its well-organized play,” Puerto Rico Head Coach Carlos Cardona said. “The game was very emotional and exciting.”

 

  “We made a lot of mistakes,” Puerto Rico captain Vilmarie Mojica said. “At the beginning we were a little cold. At the end, we were able to get our offense going.”


 

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