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

USA improve to 2-0 as hosts claim first win

Caguas, Puerto Rico, August 23, 2005 – Brook Billings scored a match-high 16 points to lead USA to an easy 3-0 win over Guatemala on the second night of the FIVB Men’s World Championship second round tournament (NORCECA D) on Tuesday.

Billings blasted 14 kills with one block, one service ace and 10 digs in the 25-10, 25-13, 25-10 victory for the United States, who improved to 2-0 at the five-team tournament. In the day’s other match, Puerto Rico beat Barbados 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-16) after losing to USA on the opening day.

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

“It is always good when a team can play at a high level against a weaker opponent,” said Team USA head coach Hugh McCutcheon. “To me, this is another sign that we are on the right track.”

Pieter Olree scored 13 points on nine kills, two blocks and two aces while Gabe Gardner added nine points on six kills, two blocks and one ace for the Americans, who improved to 14-5 overall this season.

Billings and Gardner, members of the 2004 USA Men’s Olympic Volleyball Team that finished fourth in Athens a year ago, were each playing their first national team matches of the year.

Libero Rich Lambourne posted 10 digs for Team USA while setter Chris Seiffert tallied 22 assists and a match-high three aces.

As a team, the United States held a decisive edge over Guatemala in both aces (7-0) and blocks (7-2)

The top four teams at the conclusion of pool play advance to the tournament semifinals on Aug. 27. The WCQT third-place and championship matches will be on Sunday, Aug. 28.

Canada and Cuba secured the first two NORCECA slots for the World Championships at the “NORCECA E” World Championship Qualification Tournament in Havana on Sunday, Aug. 21.

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