2006 World Championships   More World Championship news       Tournament info: Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico claim win number three as USA improve to 2-0

Caguas, Puerto Rico, August 15, 2005 – Hosts Puerto Rico claimed their third win at the FIVB Women’s World Championship second round tournament (NORCECA D) in Caguas while USA improved to 2-0 after both teams won on Monday.

Puerto Rico beat Canada 3-2 (25-21, 13-25, 17-25, 25-14, 16-14) while USA overcame Mexico 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-15).

Nancy Metcalf scored a match-high 15 points on 12 kills and three blocks to lead three players in double-figures while Katie Wilkins added 13 points and Tayyiba Haneef posted 12 points as the Americans improved to 13-13 overall this season.

Wilkins, who scored a match-high 11 points in Team USAs tournament-opening win over Barbados on Sunday night, had 10 kills and three blocks on Monday. Haneef ripped 12 kills in Monday's win.

Elisabeth Bachman chipped in with eight points on five kills and three blocks. As a team, the United States outblocked Mexico 11-1.

Bibiana Candelas scored nine points on nine kills while Ana Mercado added eight points on six kills, one block and one service ace to lead Mexico, which dropped to 0-3 in the tournament.

The top three finishers in the tournament featuring Barbados, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States will qualify for the 2006 World Championships as members of the NORCECA zone.

The Americans will conclude pool play with matches against Canada (Aug. 16) and Puerto Rico (Aug. 17). The top four teams at the conclusion of pool play advance to the tournament semifinals on Aug. 18.

Five other teams – Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Jamaica – will vie for three additional NORCECA slots for the final round at the “NORCECA E” World Championship second round tournament in Santo Domingo from Aug. 24-28.

In all, 24 teams will compete at the 2006 World Championships from Nov. 16-Dec. 3 – seven from Europe, six from NORCECA, four from Asia, three from Africa, two from South America, the host team (Japan) and the 2002 champion (Italy).