U.S. Women Block Peru at Pan

The U.S. Women’s National Team out-blocked Peru 14-2 in posting a 25-19, 25-15, 25-19 victory Sunday afternoon on the second day of Pool B competition in the Pan American Games being held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The U.S. Women improve to 2-0 in pool play and will face host Mexico at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

After a 16-all tie in the opening set, the U.S. Women scored four straight points to take a 20-16 advantage but needed to score the final four points of the set to secure the win at 25-19. The Americans reached a 7-2 lead in the second set with four quick blocks, then finished out the set with a 7-3 spurt for a 25-15 victory. Peru built a 9-5 lead in the third set, only to have the U.S. Women battle back to tie the score at 12-all and eventually go on to the 25-19 victory.

Team USA used a balanced offense as four players reached double-figure scoring. Lauren Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, Minn.) led all scorers with 13 points on nine kills on 18 attacks and four blocks. Angie Forsett (Lake Worth, Fla.) charted seven kills on 24 swings, three blocks and the only ace of the match for 11 points. Cassidy Lichtman (Poway, Calif.) tallied all 10 of her points on 18 attacks, while Jessica Jones (Naperville, Ill.) contributed six kills on 15 attacks and four blocks. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) collected six kills on 28 attacks and a block for seven points, while Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, Calif.) rounded out the scoring with two kills and two blocks.

“I am happy how we played,” Gibbemeyer said. “We’ve been playing together for a long time and the connection with my teammates has been improving. This is my first USA tournament ever and everyone here has been really nice. I am excited to play in such a prestigious tournament. There are very good teams in this championship. Tomorrow we will face Mexico, and we have to be prepared.”

Lloyd used 23 assists to set the U.S. to a 37.7 kill percent and .283 hitting efficiency (40-10-106). Peru was limited to a 30.8 kill percent and .108 hitting efficiency (37-24-120). Tama Miyashiro (Kaneohe, Hawaii) and Lichtman each tallied six digs, while Barboza collected 10 excellent receptions on 14 errorless attempts. Lichtman added seven excellent receptions on 15 attempts.

The U.S. limited their errors to 14 in the match while benefiting from 20 committed by Peru. The Americans tallied a 54.5 excellent serve reception percent, while Peru managed just 51.4 percent. Peru held a slim 24-20 margin in digs.

Andy Banachowski, who is serving as head coach for the U.S. Women at the Pan American Games, started Forsett and Barboza at outside hitter, Jones and Gibbemeyer at middle blocker, Lichtman at opposite and Lloyd at setter. Miyashiro was the libero for the match. Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa) was a sub in the second and third sets.

“I was very pleased with my team performance today,” Banachowski said. “Our young team is getting better. I think we improved overall today. Peru gave us a very tough match. I am happy how we reacted in pass and attack much better than yesterday.”

Mirtha Uribe led Peru with 11 points, while Yulissa Zamudio tallied eight points.