COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (June 20, 2017) – Opposite Annie Drews (Elkhart, Indiana) scored 15 points in leading the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 25-13, 25-15, 25-13 victory over Mexico on Tuesday afternoon to improve to 4-0 in the Pan American Cup Pool A in Canete, Peru.
The U.S. concludes pool play on Wednesday against Argentina at 8 p.m. ET. Argentina is 3-0 heading into its Monday night showdown with Puerto Rico (2-1).
Drews slammed 11 kills on 15 errorless attacks to go with two blocks and two aces as part of her match-high 15 points. Outside hitter Madi Kingdon (Phoenix, Arizona) notched eight kills 15 swings, three aces and a block for 12 points. Middle Molly McCage (Spring, Texas) contributed six kills on 12 attacks and three blocks for nine points.
Outside hitter Megan Courtney (Dayton, Ohio) chipped in five kills on 19 attacks, one block and one ace for seven points. Middle Paige Tapp (Stewartville, Minnesota) recorded four kills on eight swings, two blocks and an ace for seven points. Setter Lauren Carlini (Aurora, Illinios) pocketed four blocks and an ace for five points. Liz McMahon (Liberty Township, Ohio) added two kills on as many swings and a block as the opposite in the double sub. Micha Hancock (Edmond, Oklahoma) rounded out the scoring with two aces as the setter in the double sub.
Kingdon, Courtney, Carlini, Tapp, McCage and Drews were all making their first starts in the tournament, as well as libero Amanda Benson (Litchfield Park, Arizona). They all started all three sets of the match.
Benson turned in four digs and seven excellent receptions on nine errorless chances. Kingdon added four excellent receptions on 12 chances and four digs.
The U.S. converted 50.7 percent of its attacks with a .394 hitting efficiency (36-8-71) as Carlini was credited with 13 running sets on 52 total set attempts. In contrast, the American defense limited the Mexicans to a 25.3 kill percent and .025 hitting efficiency (20-18-79)
The Americans held commanding advantages over Mexico in all phases – 13-1 in aces, 11-2 in blocks and 36-20 in kills. The U.S. limited its errors to 18 on the match.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster for Pan Am Cup
# – Player (Position, Height, College, Hometown)
1 – Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Penn State, Edmond, Oklahoma)
2 – Rhamat Alhassan (M, 6-4, Florida, Glenarden, Maryland)
4 – Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Nebraska, Cypress, California)
6 – Amber Rolfzen (M, 6-3, Nebraska, Papillion, Nebraska)
7 – Lauren Carlini (S, 6-1, Wisconsin, Aurora, Illinois)
9 – Madi Kingdon (OH, 6-1, Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona)
11 – Annie Drews (OPP, 6-3, Purdue, Elkhart, Indiana)
14 – Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (OH, 6-3, Illinois, Maryville, Illinois)
16 – Molly McCage (M, 6-3, Texas, Spring, Texas)
17 – Megan Courtney (OH, 6-1, Penn State, Dayton, Ohio)
18 – Sonja Newcombe (OH, 6-1, Oregon, Lake Arrowhead, California)
20 – Amanda Benson (L, 5-7, Oregon, Litchfield Park, Arizona)
21 – Paige Tapp (M, 6-1, Minnesota, Stewartville, Minnesota)
23 – Liz McMahon (OPP, 6-6, Illinois, Liberty Township, Ohio)
Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coaches: Tama Miyashiro, Erin Virtue
Team Leader/Assistant Coach: Jon Newman-Gonchar
Technical Coordinator: Jeff Liu
Athletic Trainer: Beri Dwyer
16th Pan American Cup Schedule and Results for U.S. Women
Pool A
June 17: U.S. def. Venezuela 25-9, 25-16, 25-11
June 18: U.S. def. Colombia 25-8, 25-19, 29-27
June 19: U.S. def. Puerto Rico 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 15-12
June 20: U.S. def. Mexico 25-13, 25-15, 25-13
June 21: U.S. vs. Argentina, 8 p.m. ET
Quarterfinals
June 23: Pool A and Pool B 2nd and 3rd-place crossovers
Semifinals
June 24: Quarterfinal Winners
Medal Rounds
June 25: Bronze medal match (semifinal losers), 4 p.m. ET
June 25 Gold Medal match (semifinal winners), 6 p.m. ET