Orlando, Florida, July 8, 2009 - The U.S. Women’s National Team earned a spot into next year’s FIVB World Championship after topping Costa Rica 25-15, 25-9, 25-15 on Wednesday evening in Orlando to finish the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament - NORCECA Pool G with an undefeated 3-0 record.

As the second-place team, Costa Rica remains alive in the qualification process and will compete next month in the four-team NORCECA Playoff Round in Tijuana, Mexico. The Playoff Round will fill NORCECA’s final two World Championship vacancies.

Earlier in the evening, Netherlands Antilles held off a fierce comeback by Barbados with a 25-22, 20-25, 27-25, 21-25, 16-14 victory to claim third place.

The U.S. was led by tournament Most Valuable Player and Best Spiker Cynthia Barboza and Jane Collymore, who had 18 points apiece in the match. Karen Cope paced Costa Rica with nine points, while Verania Willis provided the second-place team with seven points.

“I honestly think Costa Rica is a good team and better than when we last played them at the Pan American Cup,” U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “At the same time, I think we are a better team. We went into tonight’s match with a plan and executed it. We are happy that we have qualified for the World Championships next year.”

In addition to Barboza’s two individual awards, USA’s Stacy Sykora pulled in three individual honors as Best Digger, Best Receiver and Best Libero. Courtney Thompson of the U.S. earned Best Setter and Best Server. Netherlands Antilles’ Christine Anthony earned the Best Scorer honor, while Barbados’ Thonya Joseph was presented the Best Blocker award.

The U.S. used a dominant service game to register a 9-1 ace advantage that kept Costa Rica out of system for much of the match. The Americans held a 44-22 advantage in kills and a 5-2 margin in blocks.

“We are trying to get better on each play,” Scott-Arruda said. “We are glad to be on the medal stand here and qualified for the World Championship.”

“Congratulations to USA,” said Costa Rica captain Verania Willis. “I think USA has a good defense and block. They also play a very fast pace that we have not seen and played against that much.”

“After playing all these days (at the Pan American Cup and FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament), our players are very tired,” Costa Rica Head Coach Henry Rodriguez said. “But our players played with a lot of heart against one of the best teams in the world.”

Individual Honors
Most Valuable Player: Cynthia Barboza (USA)
Best Scorer: Christine Anthony (Netherlands Antilles)
Best Spiker: Cynthia Barboza (USA)
Best Setter: Courtney Thompson (USA)
Best Server: Courtney Thompson (USA)
Best Blocker: Thonya Joseph (Barbados)
Best Digger: Stacy Sykora (USA)
Best Receiver: Stacy Sykora (USA)
Best Libero: Stacy Sykora (USA)