1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 26 25 CUB 14 24 14 U.S. Women Blank NORCECA Rival Cuba to Close in on Title NINGBO, China (June 30, 2012) - The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team defeated NORCECA rival Cuba 25-14, 26-24, 25-14 on June 30 to move within one victory of three-peating in the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round at Ningbo, China. Team USA broke a 3-all tie in the opening set with a 6-0 run and built a commanding 22-9 margin before settling in for a 25-14 victory. The Americans racked up seven blocks in the first set. The U.S. rallied from a 21-18 deficit in the second set on the strength of a 4-0 scoring run and closed the set 26-24 on its second set point opportunity. Team USA broke a 5-all tie in the third set with a 5-0 run and cruised to a 25-14 victory. “Cuba is a strong team…they always play wonderful volleyball and we expect a tough match every time,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. “It is always dangerous to play with Cuba; we always expect a great battle. But now we focus on our match with China tomorrow.”
Kristin Richards attacking against Cuba’s block. (FIVB photo)
Outside hitters Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) and Kristin Richards (Orem, Utah) had matching 17 points in the victory. Hodge collected 14 kills on 24 attacks with three blocks, while Richards turned in 13 kills on 23 swings, two blocks and two aces. Heather Bown (Yorba Linda, Calif.) charted three kills on four errorless attacks, a team-high four blocks and an ace for eight points. Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) contributed four kills on seven errorless swings and three blocks for seven points. Nancy Metcalf (Hull, Iowa) added five points on three kills via eight attacks, one block and one ace. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) served two aces with one block for three points. Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with two kills on attacks. Glass set the team with 11 running sets on 44 set attempts leading to a 55.6 kill percent and .472 hitting efficiency (40-6-72). Tamari Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii), starting her first match in the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix, tallied a team-high seven digs and eight excellent reception attempts on 12 errorless chances. Hodge added five digs and five excellent receptions on 26 chances.
(Above) Megan Hodge eyes another point. (Left) Danielle Scott-Arruda (2) celebrates a point against Cuba. (FIVB photos)
McCutcheon started Scott-Arruda and Bown at middle blocker, Richards and Hodge at outside hitter, Metcalf at opposite and Glass at setter. Miyashiro was the designated libero for the match. Haneef-Park and Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) were part of a double-switch in all three sets and Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) was a serving sub in the second set. Team USA won the battle at the net with a 13-4 block advantage and 40-32 margin in kills. The Americans limited their errors to 10 for the match while benefiting from 17 Cuba mistakes. Both teams served six aces in the match. Cuba earned a slim 21-19 advantage in digs. “I am happy,” said Scott-Arruda, who is serving as U.S. team captain during the Final Round. “Cuba is very strong at serving, which caused us some trouble in receiving. Anyway, this is a win against a great team.” Cuba’s Yoana Palacios Mendoza scored a team-high 11 points, while Gyselle De La Caridad Silva Franco turned in nine points in the loss.
Team USA celebrates its win over NORCECA rival Cuba . (FIVB photo)
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