U.S. middles dominant in sweep of Puerto Rico at Pan Am Cup

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

There was no stopping the U.S. middle attackers Shane Holdaway and Tyler Mitchem.

Both Holdaway and Mitchem had eight kills and zero errors as the United States swept Puerto Rico 25-17, 25-23, 26-24 at the Pan American Cup on Saturday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Mitchem coming off of an All-American season with Lewis finished with a .727 attack percentage to help the United States remain undefeated at the international tournament. In addition, the United States (2-0, 6 points) has yet to lose a set in its first two matches.

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Holiday had a perfect 1.000 attack percentage against Puerto Rico (0-2, 1 point).

This is the second consecutive match to open the tournament that Holiday hit more than .500. The Long Beach State middle attacker had a team-high nine kills on a .615 attack percentage in a sweep against on Friday.

Along with his offensive performance, Holdaway led all players with both two aces and two blocks against Puerto Rico.

Setter Kevin Kauling guided the United States to out-hit Puerto Rico .373 to .277. Five U.S. players had more than five kills, including UCLA outside attacker Grant Sloane who had a match-high 13 kills.

Opposite Jair Santiago in the loss led Puerto Rico with 12 kills. George Mason outside attacker Omar Hoyos also had eight kills and zero errors on a .889 attack percentage and two aces against the United States.

The United States will continue group-play with a match against the undefeated Dominican Republic on Sunday. The top-four teams in the six-team group at the end of round-robin play will advance to the semifinals.