2012 Pan American Cup U.S. MEN DOMINATE MEXICO
USA..................................25 Mexico.............................. 8
25 16
25 18
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (July 10, 2011) – A group of young players from the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team dominated Mexico, 25-8, 25-16, 25-18 at the Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The U.S. Men improved their record to 2-0 in pool play, which it will conclude on July 11 against Brazil. The U.S. Men beat Mexico 42-23 in kills, 11-7 in blocks, 7-2 in aces and 24-7 in digs. “Our Pan Am Cup team is doing an excellent job serving the ball,” U.S. Men’s Pan American Team Head Coach Shawn Patchell said via e-mail. “We lead the tournament in aces and we are getting teams out of system so we are blocking some balls. We had a longer training block for this tournament so the boys are rested and playing with a lot of poise. We hope to keep improving throughout the tournament.
From left, Tony Ciarelli waits for the play while Matt Rawson and Taylor Sander block against Mexico. (NORCECA Photo)
“The tourny is now a toss up between USA, Brazil, Arg, and the Dominican. All are undefeated until tomorrow. We face a similar team to ourselves in Brazil tomorrow. They are a young team that is filled with 2016 Olympic hopefuls.” U.S. opposite Murphy Troy (St. Louis, Mo.) led all scorers with 14 points on a matchhigh 12 kills and two blocks. Outside hitter Taylor Sander (Huntington Beach, Calif.) added nine points on six attacks, two blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Oceanside, Calif.), who played only the third set, totaled eight points on eight attacks. Middle blocker Matt Rawson (Los Angeles) tallied eight points on five kills and a match-high three blocks. Middle blocker Daniel McDonnell (Glendale, Ariz.) finished with seven points on two spikes, two blocks and a match-high three aces. Outside hitter Tony Ciarelli (Huntington Beach, Calif.) scored six points on four attacks and two aces. Outside hitter Jordan Dufault (Lakewood, Calif.), played as a substitute in the second set and started the third, finishing with four points on three attacks and one block. Setter Kawika Shoji (Honolulu) finished with two points on one kill and one ace. Shoji, who is the team captain, was credited with 18 assists and also set the team to a 54.6 kill percent and a .429 hitting efficiency. Mexico had a 27.7 kill percent and a .036 hitting efficiency.
Matt Rawson (2) and Jordan DuFault block. (NORCECA Photo)
Leonardo Manzo led Mexico with seven points. U.S. libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) was credited with a match-high 11 digs and five excellent receptions. Muagututia led the U.S. in excellent receptions with seven. Patchell started Ciarelli and Sander at outside hitter, McDonnell and Rawson at middle blocker, Troy at opposite, Shoji at setter and Watten at libero. Dufault substituted in the second set and started the third. Muagututia started the third set. Setter Ryan Ammerman (Parker, Colo.) and middle blocker Dylan Davis (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) played as substitutes.
Matt Rawson (2) and Jordan DuFault block. (NORCECA Photo)
Dan McDonnell and Murphy Troy (6) block. (NORCECA Photo)
The U.S. Men celebrate. (NORCECA Photo)
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