UCLA’s McHenry powers United States to bronze medal at Pan American Cup

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORCECA

UCLA middle attacker Merrick McHenry left no doubt that the United States would finish on the medal podium.

McHenry led all players with eight blocks and had a team-high 10 kills as the United States defeated the host-nation Dominican Republic 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15 in the bronze-medal match of the Pan American Cup on Thursday.

The defensive performance from McHenry was the most blocks in a single-match throughout the entire tournament. He also finished second at the Pan American Cup with 25 blocks en route to be named the Second Best Middle Attacker at the international event.

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McHenry was one of five U.S. players to have more than eight kills against the Dominican Republic.

Both CSUN middle attacker Daniel Wetter and UC Irvine outside attacker ended with 10 kills. UCLA outside attackers Grant Sloane and Ethan Champlin each also contributed nine kills

Dominican Republic’s Alexis Cruz in the loss finished with a match-high 20 kills.

This was the second meeting between the Dominican Republic and the United States at the Pan American Cup. The United States lost to the Dominican Republic in group-play — its only loss in group-play as it won the group championship.

The United States rebounded to win the bronze medal after suffering an upset loss to Mexico in the semifinals. Mexico continued its upset run and swept Canada in the gold-medal match on Thursday.