2017 NORCECA XVI Women's Pan-American Cup

5 Reasons To Watch The 2017 NORCECA Women's Pan-American Cup

5 Reasons To Watch The 2017 NORCECA Women's Pan-American Cup

See some of the best women's national teams in the world compete in the 2017 NORCECA Women's Pan-American Cup.

Jun 10, 2017 by Megan Kaplon
5 Reasons To Watch The 2017 NORCECA Women's Pan-American Cup
The 2017 NORCECA Pan-American Cup is bringing some of the top women's national teams from North and South America to Lima, Peru, on June 15-26 to kick off the brand new Olympic quad.

Here are some reasons you should tune in to the action LIVE, right here on FloVolleyball.

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1. This is the first big international tournament for these teams since the Rio Olympics.


The U.S., Argentina, and Puerto Rico competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and this will mark the first major international competition for all three squads.

Chile, Colombia, host Peru, Venezuela, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago round out the 12-team tournament field.

2. The USA has a long and decorated Pan-Am Cup history.


The first women's Pan-Am Cup took place in 2002, and since then, the U.S. women's national team has medaled nine times, winning four golds. The American squad has earned a medal every year since 2010 and has finished on top of the podium in three of the last five years.

The Dominican Republic leads the total medal count with 14 and is tied with the U.S. with four gold.

3. Watch former and current NCAA stars compete, and not just for the USA.


Many of the players on the Team USA roster are only a few years, or a few months, removed from their college careers, but you can also catch some of your favorite collegiate stars competing for other countries.

Puerto Rico features a particularly large number of former NCAA players, with 14 current or former Division I college athletes on its 21-person training roster.

Daly Santana, Minnesota (2012-2015), Outside Hitter
Valeria León, Ohio State (2013-2016), Libero
Natalia Valentín, FIU (2007-2010), Setter
Raymariely Santos, Arkansas (2010-2013), Setter
Katherine Santiago, UNC-Greensboro (2012-2015), Libero
Jocelyn Kuilan, Towson (2015-present), Opposite
Jennifer Nogueras, Washington (2009-2013), Setter
Janeliss Torres, Arkansas (2009-2012), Outside
Génesis Miranda, Evansville (2014-2015)/Iowa State (2016-present), Outside Hitter
Noami Santos, Florida (2011-2014), Outside Hitter
Ana Sofia Jusino, Arkansas (2012-2016), Middle Blocker
Stephany Salas, Louisiana Tech (2011-2012), Libero
Pilar Marie Victoria, Texas (2013-2014)/Arkansas (2015-2016), Outside Hitter
Adriana Viñas Joy, LIU Brooklyn (2012-2015), Libero

4. Witness the changing of the guard for USA Volleyball.


After the 2016 Olympics, U.S. women's national team veterans Courtney Thompson, Kayla Banwarth, and Christa Dietzen called it a career. Those retirements, combined with some of the other more experienced national team players choosing to take a break from national team competition, have opened up some opportunities for young up-and-coming players.

Some of the athletes training with the national team for the first time and fighting for a spot on the Pan-Am Cup roster include Nebraska's Amber and Kadie Rolfzen, Minnesota's Paige and Hannah Tapp and Sarah Wilhite, Nebraska's Justine Wong Orantes, and Wisconsin's Lauren Carlini.

5. Tori Dixon is back!


Former Minnesota middle blocker Tori Dixon looked as if she was headed for a spot on the Rio Olympics roster, but early in the 2016 professional season she tore her ACL while competing with Toray Arrows in Japan. She had surgery in February 2016 and has been battling down the road to recovery ever since. If she makes the final Pan-Am Cup roster, it could be USA fans first chance to see her back in action.



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