The United States advanced
to Saturday’s semifinals of the NORCECA Boys’ U19 Continental
Championship after defeating Puerto Rico, 25-17, 25-18, 25-18 on
Wednesday at the Cox Business Center.
Team USA finishes pool play at 2-0. Puerto Rico (1-1) will play
Guatemala in Thursday’s quarterfinals. The top three finishing
teams at the tournament qualify for the 2015 FIVB Boys’ U19
World Championship.
On Wednesday, The United States’ serving and blocking kept
Puerto Rico from mounting a threat. Team USA led in blocks
(12-2) and aces (9-1) as well as kills (37-26). Puerto Rico
scored 24 points on U.S. errors while committing 17.
“I thought it was a great USA effort,” U.S. Head Coach Ken
Shibuya said. “We haven’t had much time together, but I was
completely excited that we were able to do the things we have
been working on. Every time we step on the court we are getting
better.”
One negative aspect of the match for the U.S. was an injury to
setter Josh Tuaniga, who hurt his hand in the third set. His
status for the semifinals is not known.
Jordan Ewert led the U.S. in scoring with 11 points on six
kills, a match-high four blocks and one ace. T.J. DeFalco added
10 points on eight attacks, one block and one ace.
Puerto Rico Team Captain Luis Ocasio led his team with 11 points
on 10 kills and one block. Yadiel Nadal added eight points on
eight kills.
“We gave 100 percent and we played well,” Puerto Rico Captain
Luis Ocasio said. “But it was a tough match and we needed to
play even better to win.”
The closest set was the second as Puerto Rico was leading 11-9
before the U.S. came back to tie it at 12-12 and took the 13-12
lead on a kill by Micah Ma’a. The U.S. increased the lead to
16-13 at the second technical timeout and Puerto Rico didn’t
respond
