Hancock sets new mark, USA wins bronze medal

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 10, 2016 – The United States recovered from a slow start and stormed past Cuba 3-1 (20-25, 25-9, 25-15, 25-9) in the match for the bronze medal at the XV Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup on Sunday.

Micha Hancock laced 12 aces to break her own Pan American Cup record of 11 service winners in a single match set earlier in the week against Costa Rica. She finished the tournament with 50 aces, 22 more than the previous mark of 28 set last year by Cuban Melissa Vargas.

It is the ninth overall medal for the United States in the history of the Pan American Cup, including four gold medals, two silvers and three bronzes.

Hancock had 15 points to lead five USA players with double digits in scoring. Megan Courtney was next with 13, Taylor Simpson and Carly Wopat had 12 points each and Rhamat Alhassan charted 11. Cuba’s Daimara Lescay topped the losers with 8 points.

The Americans outclassed the Cubans in blocks 17-9 and aces 20-2. Each team committed 19 errors.

“After playing five sets against Cuba in our first match we anticipated a tough match and wanted to served hard and organize the blocking,” said Daniel Fisher, the U.S. coach. “I am especially proud about our blocking at zone four.”

“I want to congratulate United States for a great match. I can’t explain what happened after the first set. But if you can summarize it in one word that one is catastrophic.”

“I came mentally prepared to serve hard,” Hancock said. “I just like to compete hard and play hard from the service line. Hopefully we are on the right path.”