USA blocks out Puerto Rico in opening match

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 15, 2011 – World second-ranked United States defeated Puerto Rico in straight sets 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-14) in the opening match of Pool B of the XVI Pan American Games’ Women Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.

The USA Team out-blocked Puerto Rico 16-3 and also took advantage of 25 errors committed by the defeated side.

Angela Forsett, Cynthia Barboza and Lauren Gibbemeyer led the scores for United States with 12, 11 and 10 points respectively. Gibbemeyer scored with 6 blocks and Forsett had 4. Aury Cruz had 9 points and Stephanie Enright added 7 for Puerto Rico.

“I am very pleased with our blocking and the back-court defense,” USA Coach Andy Banachowski said. “The mistakes of Puerto Rico enable us to get the confidence and we play more relaxed the next two sets.”

“Many of our players are playing their first international competition and it is good to start with the victory,” USA Captain Barboza added. “The volleyball in the zone is very strong and the Pan American Games are not different.”

“We made too many mistakes with our serves,” Puerto Rico’s Coach David Aleman said. “In the past two tournaments we were the team with best serves but it was not the case today.”

“I can’t be happy with our game today because we had real good chances against USA,” Puerto Rico’s Captain Vilmarie Mojica said. “But we have to leave this game in the past and concentrate in tomorrow’s match against Mexico.”