USA men sweep
Cuba to even Americas Cup record
 Sao Leopoldo, Brazil, August
4, 2005 - Dave McKienzie scored a match-high 16 points and Jim
Polster added 12 points as the USA Mens National Volleyball Team
defeated Cuba, 3-0, at the Americas Cup on Thursday night.
McKienzie had 12 kills and a match-high-tying four blocks in the
25-16, 27-25, 27-25 victory for the United States, which
rebounded from a 3-2 loss to Canada last night.
Polster added 10 kills and two blocks for Team USA, which
clinched a spot in Saturdays tournament semifinals with the win.
We put forth a much improved effort this evening, said USA head
coach Hugh McCutcheon. The guys really played well. It is a
great result after having a lackluster performance last night
and it is another testament to the heart of this team.
Pic: David Mckienzie (16) and Thomas Hoff try to block Cuba's
Oldevis Dominico
Tom Hoff and Riley Salmon chipped in with nine points apiece for
the United States, which improved to 10-5 overall this season..
Hoff had five kills and four blocks and Salmon added five kills,
three service aces and one block.
As a team, the USA men outblocked the Cubans, 13-5.
The Americans have a day of rest of Friday, Aug. 5, as Canada
and Cuba square off against each other to determine Group Bs
other semifinal representative to close out group play.
The tournament field consists of six teams broken up into two
groups of three teams each. Group A consists of Argentina, 2004
Olympic gold medalist Brazil and Venezuela. Group B features
Canada, Cuba and the United States.
Brazil defeated Venezuela, 3-0 (25-21, 31-29, 25-19) in Pool A
after beating Argentina on the opening day.
The top two teams in each group following the conclusion of
preliminary play on Friday, Aug. 5 will meet in the tournament
semifinals on Saturday, Aug. 6. The third-place and championship
matches are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 7. |
