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DETROIT, USA, May 22, 2015 – The United States qualified for the
FIVB World Cup on Friday with a 20-25, 25-17, 25-10, 25-14 win
over Cuba at Joe Louis Arena on Friday.
The top two Champions Cup finishers qualify for the 2015 FIVB
World Cup, which is the first qualifier for the 2016 Olympic
Games in Rio de Janeiro. Canada also qualified for the World Cup
with a 3-0 victory over Mexico on Friday.
The U.S. (2-0) will play Canada (2-0) at 6 p.m. ET in Saturday’s
finale of the round-robin tournament. Cuba (0-2) will face
Mexico (0-2).
“Obviously we are very excited to qualify for the World Cup,”
U.S. Coach John Speraw said. “It is a little stressful to have a
tournament as important so early in the season. You can see some
of the reasons why we are stressed. It is not very sharp yet.
The connection between the setters and hitters isn’t there yet.”
For a second straight night, serving was key for the U.S., who
led in aces, 9-3. Middle blocker Max Holt led the charge with
three aces while Micah Christenson and Taylor Sander each had
two.
The U.S. Men also led in blocks (11-5) and kills (47-36).
“(In the first set) they got a couple good serves on us that
were a little funky that we misread,” Anderson said. “Just a few
plays at this level can lose you a set and ultimately a match.
Ultimately, we played with good energy throughout and we were
lucky that we came back and won.”
Anderson, at outside hitter, led all scorers with 17 points on
15 kills, one block and one ace. Outside hitter Taylor Sander
added 15 points on 10 kills, three blocks and two aces. Opposite
Murphy Troy totaled 14 points on 13 kills and one ace.
Osmany Uriarte led Cuba with 16 points on 15 kills and one
block. Cepeda added 12 points on 10 kills, one block and one
ace. |
