USA ready to defend their double title

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, June 18, 2014 – Two-time defending champions United States cruised to a straight set victory (25-15, 25-21, 25-17) in the first semifinal of the XIII Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at Juan de la Barrera Gymnasium on Wednesday.

The Americans, seeking their third consecutive crown -an unprecedented feat in the history of the intercontinental competition- will play the winner of the other semifinal match between Argentina and Dominican Republic.

USA team outblocked Puerto Rico 16-3 with TeTori Dixon leading the way with five or her own, while Carli Lloyd, Bailey Webster and Cursty Jackson each had three.

Webster was the top scorer for the winners with 16 points, followed by Jackson and Dixon with 12 and 11, respectively.

Aurea Cruz finished with 13 points for Puerto Rico.

“I like the level we have played with small improvements in our serves so I think we have a very good chance to win the tournament,” USA coach Jamie Morrison said. “Our serves were both strong and well located. We looked to serve to the right person and the blocking worked very well.”

“Our training roster consists of around 30, 32 players so we are very deep and here we are giving some of our players the chance to compete and develop,” Morrison added.

“We are focusing on our side of the net and who is the opponent is not really important,” USA Captain Lloyd said. “I am sure it will be a good opponent and we will be ready.”

“It was not a good match for us,” Puerto Rico’s Captain Sheila Ocasio stated. “We played some good rallies but not consistently during the whole game. Their serves gave us a lot of problems and we were not able to execute. But we have our heads up and still have the chance to win a medal.”

“In the first set we couldn’t execute the way we wanted as we faced problems to receive,” Puerto Rican Coach Jose Mieles said. “USA was much better than us. Sixteen blocks in three sets is a lot.”