2018 NORCECA Women's XVII Pan-American Cup

USA Slides Past Gritty Canada & Into Pan-Am Cup Final

USA Slides Past Gritty Canada & Into Pan-Am Cup Final

It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t without moments of doubt. But the USA earned a spot in the gold-medal match of the 2018 NORCECA Pan American Cup.

Jul 14, 2018 by Megan Kaplon
USA Slides Past Gritty Canada & Into Pan-Am Cup Final

It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t without moments of doubt. But the USA earned a spot in the gold-medal match of the 2018 NORCECA Pan American Cup with a four-set defeat of a gritty Canada team, after going 2-1 in pool play and defeating Colombia in the quarterfinals. 

With recent college grads and even a pair of notable current collegians on both sides of the net, the USA rode the momentum of 21 incredible blocks to a victory in the semis, despite strong serving and tenacious defense from the Canadian side. 

Canada got some extra rest thanks to an undefeated pool-play record and a bye into the semifinals, while USA’s loss to Cuba in pool play, in a match that went to five sets and until 1 AM local time due to a four-hour delay from heavy rains, kept it from reaping the same benefits. 

But instead of leaving the Americans tired, their resounding sweep of Colombia in the quarterfinals (25-12, 25-17, 25-17) seemed to help the players enter their semifinal contest with a little extra confidence. Regardless of what was fueling their performance, the Americans were undeniably dominant in the first set, winning 25-18. In the second, however, they stumbled, allowing Canada to tie the match 1-1. 

As is often the case, serving and passing determined the winner of the second set. The U.S. served long to give Canada game point and shanked a pass on the set winner. Throughout the match, serve receive proved challenging for the USA, but the athleticism of setter Lauren Carlini and wide windows of the Americans’ pin hitters Adora Anae, Aiyana Whitney, and Sarah Wilhite meant those less-than-perfect passes didn’t ultimately decide the game.

The USA regained its composure and won the match in four sets, but Canada showcased dogged determination and a plethora of young talent. 

Former NCAA stars on the Maple Leafs’ roster included BYU’s Alexa Gray, Hawaii’s Emily Maglio, Florida’s Shaniah Joseph, Michigan State’s Autumn Bailey, Michigan’s Jennifer Cross, NC State’s Megan Cyr, and USC’s Alicia Ogoms. 

The youngest Team Canada star opposite Kiera Van Ryk, however, is only a sophomore in college and chose not to compete in the NCAA, turning down offers from Washington, Penn State, and Nebraska, and instead signing with the University of British Columbia. Van Ryk led all scorers in the the semifinal match with 18 points. 

Team USA’s own current college player Jordyn Poulter appeared briefly in the semifinal. The senior University of Illinois setter also set in the double sub in the quarters after making her international debut in the first match of the tournament versus Trinidad & Tobago.  

The Team USA has elevated above its competitors throughout this tournament at the net. Against Puerto Rico in pool play, the American tallied 12 blocks to their opponent’s one. For this particular strength, all credit goes to middles Chiaka Ogbogu and Haleigh Washington. A year ago, these two were some of the top blockers in the NCAA, at Texas and Penn State, respectively. Their blocking skills, and Washington’s deadly slide, have not dulled at all since the end of their final collegiate season in December.

That big block--and Washington’s slide, Carlini’s athleticism, and the pin hitter’s versatility--will be key in tomorrow’s gold medal match versus the Dominican Republic. The tournament hosts bring home-court advantage and a Pan Am Cup history almost as decorated as the USA’s into the final. The Dominicans have four total Pan Am Cup gold medals and two since 2014. 

Both finalists have already secured a spot in the 2019 Pan American Games as one of the top-five finishers at the NORCECA Pan Am Cup. 

The gold-medal match is scheduled for Saturday at 7 PM CT LIVE on FloVolleyball.