COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 10, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team had balanced scoring as it defeated Puerto Rico 25-18, 25-20, 25-27, 25-19 Wednesday in Chiclayo, Peru, to go 4-0 in Pan American Cup Pool B.
The U.S. advances directly to the semifinals on July 13.
“This was a good test for us,” said Rob Browning, who is serving as head coach for the U.S. at the Pan American Cup. “Puerto Rico came out hot but we maintained our composure and produced a couple of good comebacks both in the first set and the second sets. The third set we simply made too many errors. Puerto Rico is too good of a team to give them a bunch of points. in the fourth set we did not completely resolved that issue, but it was better. When we made them play we were really good for a long time. We made it harder on ourselves than we needed to. But this team is still young in terms of matches played together. We really are getting better and are ready for a couple of good matches coming up in Trujillo.”
Opposite Karsta Lowe (Rancho Sante Fe, California) provided a match-high 17 points with 13 kills on 34 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel (Phoenix, Arizona) pocketed 16 points with 13 kills via 39 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Outside hitter Kadie Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska) contributed 13 kills on 31 attacks and two blocks for 15 points.
“I think we did a lot of good things,” Rolfzen said. “I think we saw some areas that we may need some improving as well and I think that is a positive heading into the semifinals knowing we can see what we can better at.”
Middles Hannah Tapp (Stewartville, Minnesota) and Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio) each totaled seven kills on 12 attacks and a match-high five blocks with one ace for 13 points. Setter Micha Hancock (Edmond, Oklahoma) rounded out the scoring with one kill and one block for two points.
Libero Justine Wong-Orantes (Cypress, California) handled 21 receptions with a 57 positive reception percent. She also produced a team-high 20 digs in the victory. Kingdon Rishel also registered a 57 positive reception percent on 30 chances. Rolfzen was credited with 22 receptions and a 64 positive reception percent. Rolfzen and Hancock added nine digs apiece.
Hancock set Team USA to a 40 kill percent and .316 hitting efficiency (54-11-136). The American defense limited Puerto Rico to a 33 kill percent and .120 hitting efficiency (47-30-142).
With the semifinals looming and facing better teams, Rolfzen said it is time for the USA to control areas it can control on its own.
“I think one thing we can control is our serve, and so if we can be able to keep those in even if not a good toss,” Rolfzen said. “Keeping USA speed, controlling what we can control.”