TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 12, 2022.- Cuba with an exciting five-set win 3-2 (25-20, 28-26, 20-25, 23-25, 15-11) over the United States to improve 2-0 at the Men’s NORCECA Final Six Pan American Cup at the Amado Nervo Auditorium of Tepic, Nayarit.
The United States came back strong after falling in the first two sets to extend the action to a tie-break won by Cuba.
Cuba led 63-47 in attacks and 5-3 in aces. United States held a comfortable 14-8 margin in blocks. Cuba scored on 35 points from U.S. errors but handed out 43.
Opposite hitter Jesus Herrera of Cuba scored a match-high of 20 points on 18 kills and two blocks, outside hitter and team captain Miguel Angel Lopez followed with 19 points on 18 kills and once ace, and middle blocker Roamy Alonso contributed with 13 points.
Opposite hitter Francesco Sani topped the United States with 17 points on 15 kills and two aces, outside hitter Kyle McCauley contributed with 15 points on 11 kills, three blocks and one ace; middle blocker Nyerovwome Omene and outside hitter Brett Wildman added 11 and 10 points respectively.
On Wednesday Cuba will meet Canada and United States plays Puerto Rico.
Miguel Angel Lopez, Captain of Cuba: “It was a complicated match, it depended on our game. From the third set onward our game stopped to go smoothly as it was in the first two sets. The key was the concentration to come out with the victory. This is just our second match, and we are adapting to the condition of the court and the surroundings. Now we must study Canada and rest”.
Kyle McCauley, Outside hitter of United States: “We have a lot of trust in everyone coming in, we had some great serves, also our blocking did well. We fought hard the entire match”.
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