COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 14, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team captured its third consecutive Pan American Cup title by sweeping Dominican Republic 25-16, 25-21, 29-27 Sunday in Trujillo, Peru.
“What a dominant performance by this team,” said Rob Browning, who served as head coach for the U.S. Women at the Pan Am Cup. “Really impressive that we were able to run through some very good teams unscathed. And to finish with this win over a strong Dominican team was perfect. They really didn’t stand a chance the way our team was rolling.”
Outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel led Team USA with 19 points via 18 kills on 37 attacks and an ace. Opposite Karsta Lowe (Rancho Santa Fe, California) contributed 14 kills on 28 swings and three aces for 17 points. Middle Hannah Tapp (Stewartville, Minnesota), chosen Best Blocker of the Pan Am Cup, provided a match-high five blocks to go with four kills for nine points.
Middle Brionne Butler (Kendleton, Texas) charted four kills and two blocks for six points in the victory. Outside hitter Kadie Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska), selected as Best Attacker of the tournament, pocketed two kills, one ace and one block for four points. Setter Micha Hancock (Edmond, Oklahoma) scored a block and kill, while Kathryn Plummer (Aliso Viejo, California) rounded out the scoring with an ace as a sub in all three sets.
“Hannah Tapp was one of our top performers from the first point to the last whistle,” Browning said. “She was a rock for our team. Our outside hitters, Madi and Kadie, were the best outsides in the tournament. Serve receive, attacking and their overall game are remarkable. Karsta was a hammer. At the end of the match today, when Dominican had some hope, Karsta crushed their spirits with a couple of huge kills.”
Libero Justine Wong-Orantes (Cypress, California), who was named Best Libero and Best Receiver of the tournament, handled 27 receptions with a 59 positive reception percent. She added 10 digs in the victory. Kingdon Rishel was credited with a 71 positive reception percent on 14 chances while Rolfzen was 46 positive on 13 receptions.
Hancock, named the most valuable player and Best Setter of the Pan Am Cup, set Team USA to a 41 kill percent and .257 hitting efficiency (43-16-105). The American defense limited Dominican Republic to a 38 kill percent and .198 hitting efficiency (33-16-86).
The U.S. out-blocked out-blocked Dominican Republic 9-5 and held a 7-2 margin in aces.
U.S. Pan American Cup Women’s Volleyball Team Roster
# – Name (Position, Height, Hometown, College)
1 – Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Oklahoma, Penn State University)
2 – Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, California, Stanford University)
4 – Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, California, University of Nebraska)
5 – Rachael Adams (M, 6-2, Cincinnati, Ohio, University of Texas)
9 – Madi Kingdon Rishel (OH, 6-1, Phoenix, Arizona, University of Arizona)
10 – Gabby Curry (L, 5-8, Buford, Georgia, University of Kentucky)
11 – Madison Lilley (S, 5-11, Overland Park, Kansas, University of Kentucky)
15 – Roni Jones-Perry (OH, 6-0, West Jordan, Utah, BYU)
16 – Danielle Cuttino (OPP, 6-4, Indianapolis, Indiana, Purdue University)
19 – Hannah Tapp (M, 6-3, Stewartville, Minnesota, University of Minnesota)
20 – Brionne Butler (M, 6-4, Kendleton, Texas, University of Texas)
22 – Kadie Rolfzen (OH, 6-3, Papillion, Nebraska, University of Nebraska)
24 – Jenna Rosenthal (M, 6-6, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Marquette University)
25 – Karsta Lowe (OPP, 6-4, Rancho Santa Fe, California, UCLA)
Head Coach: Rob Browning
Assistant Coaches: Laurie Corbelli, Tayyiba Haneef-Park
Technical Coordinator: Justin Chang
Team Manager: John Xie
Pan American Cup Information
Pan American Cup Pools
Pool A: Argentina, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru
Pool B: Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, United States
Pan American Cup Schedule
(Match Times Listed as Eastern Time)
Pool B (in Chiclayo, Peru)
July 6: USA def. Colombia 25-17, 25-18, 25-21
July 7: USA def. Trinidad & Tobago 25-14, 25-15, 25-13
July 8: USA def. Mexico 25-11, 25-18, 25-19
July 10: USA def. Puerto Rico 25-18, 25-20, 25-27, 25-19
Semifinals (in Trujillo, Peru)
July 13: USA def. Colombia 25-17, 25-14, 25-15
July 13: Dominican Republic def. Puerto Rico 25-16, 25-20, 27-29, 25-20
Bronze-Medal Match (in Trujillo, Peru)
July 14: Colombia vs. Puerto Rico, 2 p.m.
Gold-Medal Match (in Trujillo, Peru)
July 14: USA def. Dominican Republic 25-16, 25-21, 29-27