United States join Brazil in semifinals

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 17, 2011 – World No 2 United States clinched a spot in the semifinals of the women’s volleyball tournament of the XVI Pan American Games after registering a 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 31-29) victory over Mexico in Pool B.

The Americans finished with 13 blocks including five by Lauren Gibbemeyer and three by Jessica Jones.

Alexandra Klineman was the best American scorer with 14 points while Gibbemeyer, Cynthia Barboza and Regan Hood all finished with 10 points. Samantha Bricio led Mexico with 8 points.

Andy Banachowski (Coach of USA): “Mexico played a great third set and that gave the public a chance to enjoy the competition. I was disappointed that one of the Mexico players was injured and could not play today, but their coach was able to switch his players.”

Cinthya Barboza (Captain of USA): “They are a very strong team play with a lot of heart; we studied them and watched them. Mexico was presenting so different in every game. Mexico took the best of us and we took the best of them. This is what volleyball is all about.”

Mario Herrera (Coach of Mexico): “USA is a great team with quality. It was a shame we could not close that set. USA made the right adjustments and our opportunity went away. We can still follow playing on the next round looking for fifth, sixth or seventh. To be in this kind of competition is a learning experience.”

Martha Revuelta (Captain of Mexico): “We feel sad because we lost, but I think we fought until the end. We could not neutralize USA’s height. Unfortunately we had the last set, but we could not finish it. I think it had changed the things, but with a very tight score this is unpredictable. Now things were in a reverse way. We started bad and finished well.”