USA Women defeat Peru to improve to 2-0 at 2023 Pan Am Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 7, 2023)The U.S. Women’s Team is now 2-0 at the Pan American Cup after defeating Peru on Monday 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-12) in Ponce, Puerto Rico. 

The U.S. Women will next play on Tuesday at 1 p.m. vs. Colombia. 

MATCH STATISTICS

Peru was up to the challenge early. The U.S. held a one-point lead at 8-7 at the technical timeout in the first set. The U.S. was in the driver’s seat at 23-17, but a late rally from Peru closed the gap to 24-22 before the U.S. scored the final point to put it away.  

Middle blocker Madeline Gates had three key blocks in the first set on her way to five total for the match. The U.S. held a 12-3 advantage in blocks for the match as a team. Outside hitter Sarah Parsons and setter Jenna Gray each tallied two blocks. 

The U.S. never let Peru draw within more than two for the remaining two sets. Opposite Stephanie Samedy and outside hitter Logan Eggleston set the tone for the rest of the match for the team in scoring. Eggleston was the highest scorer on the day with 14 kills and one block.

“It was a fun game to play,” said Eggleston. “I think we’re getting used to each other as a team with a lot of really awesome talent. And we’re just having fun getting to play together. Our expectation is always to win, and we just played at a really high level and I think we’re doing a really good job at the beginning and it’s going to keep getting better”.

Samedy had 11 kills, one block and one ace. She also held down the defensive end of the floor with seven digs. Libero Kendall White was credited with 10 digs and three serve receptions.  

Stephanie Samedy

Parsons contributed three of her five kills in the second set as the U.S. didn’t let Peru advance any further past the 20-point barrier in the second set.  

The team maintained its momentum in the third, doubling up Peru at 12-6 and never looking back. The team finished with a definitive 25-13 final score in set three to close out the 3-0 win. 

“We’ve gotten to get everyone in and everyone kind of got the first match jitters out of the way,” said coach Brad Rostratter. “It was nice to see us put some things together through those last two sets, through the home stretch. It’s just the next step and we just have been preparing on what’s ahead of us and what’s in front of us and we played better today and we’re trying to play better tomorrow against Colombia.”

U.S. Women’s Roster for the 2023 Pan American Cup

No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
Kendall White (L, 5-5, Zionsville, Ind., Penn State, Hoosier)
13C Sarah Wilhite Parsons (OH, 6-2, Eden Prairie, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota, North Country)
19 Jenna Gray (S, 6-1, Shawnee, Kan., Stanford Univ., Heart of America)
21 Simone Lee (OH, 6-1, Menomonee Falls, Wis., Penn State, Badger)
25 Brooke Nuneviller (OH, 5-11, Chandler, Ariz., Univ. of Oregon, Arizona)
30 Danielle Hart (MB, 6-4, Virginia Beach, Va., Univ. of Wisconsin, Old Dominion)
34 Stephanie Samedy (Opp, 6-2, Clermont, Fla., Univ. of Minnesota, Florida)
36 Madeleine Gates (MB, 6-3, San Diego, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
37 Kayla Haneline (MB, 6-2, Plattsmouth, Neb., Northern Iowa, Great Plains)
38 Zoe Fleck (L, 5-6, Grenada Hills, Calif., Univ. of Texas, Southern California)
39 Taylor Mims (Opp, 6-3, Billings, Mont., Washington State, Evergreen)
41 Logan Eggleston (OH, 6-2, Brentwood, Tenn., Univ. of Texas, Southern)
43 Serena Gray (MB, 6-3, Temple City, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)
44 Sydney Hilley (S, 6-0, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Univ. of Wisconsin, North Country)

Head Coach: Brad Rostratter
Assistant Coach: Jonathan Charette
Assistant Coach: Cursty Jackson
Team Manager: John Xie
Performance Analyst: AJ Ruttenberg
Athletic Trainer: Mandolyn Peterson

U.S. Schedule for the 2023 Pan American Cup
(All times PDT)

Sunday, August 6
United States def Costa Rica, 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-17)

Monday, August 7
United States def Peru, 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-12)

Tuesday, August 8
1 p.m. United States v Colombia

Thursday August 10
3 p.m. United States v Canada

Friday August 11
11 a.m. Classification 7/10
1 p.m. Classification 7/10
3 p.m. Quarterfinals
5 p.m. Quarterfinals

Saturday August 12
9 a.m. Position 9-10
11 a.m. Classification 5/8
1 p.m. Classification 5/8
3 p.m. Semifinals
5 p.m. Semifinals

Sunday August 13
9 a.m. Position 7-8
11 p.m. Position 5-6
1 p.m. Bronze Medal Match
3 p.m. Gold Medal Match