TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, July 16, 2024. – United States topped pool A undefeated and advanced to the semifinals of the Girls U19 NORCECA Continental Championship after defeating Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-22) on Tuesday at the Jorge Galeano Gymnasium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
United States closed the preliminary round with a perfect 3-0 record, without losing a single set and earning a direct ticket to Thursday’s semifinals. Puerto Rico finished with a 1-2 record and awaits the result between Canada (1-1) and Cuba (0-2) to determine their final position.
The Americans relied on their strength in attacks (40-26) to dominate Puerto Rico. They also had an advantage in blocking (8-5) and serving (8-3). Puerto Rico committed fewer unforced errors (19-24).
Outside hitters Kelly Kinney and Hanley Anderson led the United States with 11 points each. Kinney on 8 kills, one block, and one ace; Anderson on 10 kills and one block.
Puerto Rico’s outside hitter Cherisse Atilano led all scorers with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block. Alana Guibert contributed 9 points.
The first set was very close, with both teams taking turns in the lead until reaching the second technical timeout tied when the attacking efforts of Halle Thompson and Henley Anderson pushed the Americans to close at 25-20. USA reached a comfortable six-point lead (15-9) in the second set with Elena Hoecke leading the offense. In the third, Puerto Rico pushed again, with a 16-14 advantage with strong blocking and attacking by Cherisse Atilano. The teams were tied at 21 points, but Kelly Kinney sealed the match for the United States with a service point.
Kelly Kinney, top scorer for United States: “I think the match challenged us more mentally than it did competition wise. We just stayed strong physically and mentally, and that’s what helped to win. We trusted each other a lot and we supported each one on and off the court. Our team did a good job serving aggressively”.
Cherisse Atilano, top scorer for Puerto Rico: “It was an exciting match. In the second set, the sun affected us, but despite that, we did very well. We gave it our all in the first and third sets, raising our level of play, which we had been striving for. We stood out in our team unity and pushing forward at key moments”.
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