USA won the ticket to the Beijing Games

 

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, January 11, 2008.- USA won a ticket to the Beijing Olympic Games with a clear victory over Puerto Rico in the final match of the NORCECA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The American blocking (13-5) proved to be too much for the host Puerto Ricans. The score was 25-20, 25-19, 25-20.

 

Seldom used Sean Rooney was spectacular today for the winning side, attacking way over the blocking and finishing with 16 points, while David Lee and Clayton Stanley each had 10 points. Ryan Millar had five blocks among his 8 points. Hector Soto had 16 points for Puerto Rico.

 

“I feel relieved and excited,” said Hugh McCutcheon, the coach of USA. “The team rose to the occasion and we executed in all the aspects of the game. So many guys performed at their highest level and with a lot of energy.”

“We put tremendous pressure on the Puerto Rican team,” said Thomas Hoff, the USA Captain. “Our staff did a great job and we did all they wanted. Our team got better and better with the tournament and we reserved our best for the last match.”

 

“They played too well, we got overmatched since early in the match,” said Carlos Cardona, the coach of Puerto Rico. “We were left without solutions and the size of the team they used today somewhat surprised us.”

 

USA led at the technical stops of the first set 8-5 and 16-13. The Americans enjoyed good reception and built the gap with fast attacks down the middle. Rooney, Millar and Salmon excelled in the offense as also setter Lloy Ball.

 

Like in the first set, USA Team led 8-5 and 16-13 relying on clutch blocking by Lee and Millar. Puerto Rico sparked a three-point rally to close the margin at 17-18. Soto killed, Victor Rivera blocked and Soto served one ace with a lob. Once again the solid blocking of USA returned and sealed the set.

 

The third set was one sided with the Americans dominating against an opponent who seemed to be intimidated by their blocking of the eventual winners.