TEPIC, Nayarit, Mexico, July 17, 2022.- The United States captured the Men’s Pan American Cup NORCECA Final Six bronze medal defeating Puerto Rico 3-0 (27-25, 25-22, 25-23) on Sunday at the Amado Nervo Auditorium of Tepic, Nayarit.
The United States finished third place with a 4-3 win-loss record. This is the U.S. second consecutive bronze medal at the Final Six event. Puerto Rico, in fourth place, closed with a 2-5 record. The U.S. also beat Puerto Rico in straight sets in the preliminary round.
The U.S. led 47-37 in attacks and 7-5 in blocks, both teams scored one point from serves, while they committed 27 unforced errors against 22 from Puerto Rico.
Four Americans finished with double-figures, led by outside hitter Brett Wildman who scored 14 points on 13 kills and one block, outside hitter Kyle McCauley with 13 points from 12 kills and one block, middle blocker Nyerovwome Omene tallied 11 points on 7 kills, 3 blocks and one ace, and opposite hitter Francesco Sani with 10 points.
Puerto Rico’s offense was led by outside hitter Pelegrin Vargas with 12 points on 10 kills, one block and one ace, followed by opposite hitter Gregory Torres with 10 points all on kills.
Merrick McHenry, Middle blocker of United States: “This was a super long tournament; it was so fun. I love my team and coaches; they are the guys I get to work every day. We had a great tournament. It was a very high level tournament, I think we all got better, and it will definitely help us for the future, just to play competitive teams and good volleyball. We play a little bit older than we are, most of us are still in school, in the university and this is a great experience for us youngsters”.
Andy Read, Head Coach of United States: “To go home with a medal and to play that hard it validates all the hard work these young men do. This group is working for the future, this is not the finish line for them, it’s way ahead of us. We played better and better even though we lost to Canada in semifinals”.
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