United States Women Open Strong against Guatemala

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, May 15, 2014 – Host United States used its height advantage to blank Guatemala 25-10, 25-18, 25-11 on Thursday afternoon to open the Women’s NORCECA World Championship Qualification Third-Round Pool O Tournament being held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

USA captain Kelly Reeves scored 12 points and picked up a team-high nine digs to spark the United States, which had 10 of its 12 players scored at least a point. Katie Slay chipped in 10 points. Guatemala was paced by Stefany Bolanos with 12 points included four aces, while Blanca Recinos added seven points.

The favored USA out-blocked Guatemala 9-2 and held an 11-6 margin in aces.

United States Captain Kelly Reeves: “This was the first time playing against another team (this season) and we were kind of excited. We got the jitters out the first set and then kind of got on a roll. (Coach Hunt) told us to go out there and have some fun. Don’t take this team lightly. Go out there and play USA Volleyball, what we’ve been training for. Go out there and play for each other.”

United States Head Coach David Hunt: “Since I started working with them two weeks ago they have been excited and ready to play. A lot of things tactically that we were trying to do that they have been implementing the last eight weeks, they were able to do that. Sometimes you don’t know if they will revert back to their old habits because they were still learning some things. It was good to see that transfer over to the match.”

Guatemala Head Coach David Aldana Perez: “The most important thing is for us to play together in this classification.  Just playing here in the United States together is a great opportunity. Even though we're not as strong a team as the United States, I am very proud of my team, especially when we scored 18 points in the second set. “

Guatemala Captain Diana Arias: “Our team has not really had the chance to play together leading up to this tournament. And playing in the high altitude was a challenge, also. But even though we lost today, I thought we played well together. “