6/12 1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 25 ARG 17 19 22 U.S. Women Sweep Argentina, Advance to Semifinals LIMA, PERU (June 12, 2013) – The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team swept Argentina 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 in a battle of previously undefeated teams on the final day of Pool A competition at the Pan American Cup on Wednesday in Callao, Peru.
Lauren Gibbemeyer (8) and Kristin Hildebrand block an Argentina attack. (NORCECA photo)
The U.S., the defending Pan American Cup champions, finished Pool A in first place with a 3-0 record with 13 points. By virtue of winning Pool A and ranking as the second-best pool winner, Team USA advances directly to the Pan American Cup semifinals on Saturday. The three second-place teams plus Pool B winner Cuba will compete in the quarterfinal round on Friday. All 12 teams in the tournament are idle on Thursday. In addition, Team USA has earned a spot in the 2014 FIVB World Grand Prix by reaching the Pan American Cup semifinals. The top four NORCECA finishing teams in the tournament gain a spot in the prestigious annual event. Team USA used a 9-2 scoring run to end the opening set and take a 25-17 victory. The U.S. broke a 9-all tie in the second set and climbed to a 25-19 victory to go up 2-0. The Americans overcame a 20-17 deficit in the third set by scoring seven of the next eight points en route to winning 25-22.
USA and Argentina during the Natonal Anthems. (NORCECA photo)
“Our players responded well and I would like to improve our serves, and continue to work on our fast offense,” U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly (San Clemente, Calif.) said. Nicole Fawcett (Zanesfield, Ohio) paced the United States with a match-high 15 points that included 12 kills on 28 attacks, two aces and a block. Kristin Richards Hildebrand (Orem,Utah) secured 13 points via 11 kills on 20 swings, one ace and one block. Megan Hodge (Durham, N.C.) chipped in 10 kills on 17 attacks and a block for 11 points. Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) contributed 10 points with six kills on eight errorless attacks, three blocks and an ace. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) collected eight points on seven kills via 15 attacks and a block. Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Ill.) rounded out the scoring with two kills on five swings as a reserve in all three sets. Alisha Glass (Leland, Mich.) set the U.S. to a 51.6 kill percent and .398 hitting efficiency (48-11-93) with 28 running sets, while Jenna Hagglund (West Chester, Ohio) added three running sets in a reserve role. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) tallied a team-high 12 digs. Hodge charted 10 excellent receptions on 30 attempts to go with six digs.
Rachael Adams (22) and Nicole Fawcett (14) form a blocking wall versus Puerto Rico. (NORCECA photo)
The U.S. started Hodge and Richards Hildebrand at outside hitter, Gibbemeyer and Adams at middle blocker, Fawcett at opposite and Glass at setter. Banwarth is the designated Team USA libero for the tournament. Hagglund and Murphy were part of a double-switch in all three sets, while Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) was a sub in all three sets. Team USA’s attack netted a 48-35 margin in kills. The Americans held the advantage in blocks (7-4) and aces (4-2) during the match. Further, the Americans produced a 31-26 edge in digs. The U.S. held Argentina to a 35.0 kill percent and .230 hitting efficiency (35-12-100). “I think USA did a good job tonight with some good contributions from the players off the bench,” said Richards Hildebrand, the U.S. captain. “Our setter did an excellent job to help the balanced offense.” Lucia Fresco led Argentina with 14 points, while Emilce Sosa added 11 points in the loss. Team USA celebrates a point versus Trinidad & Tobago. (NORCECA photo)
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