U.S. gets strong performance from DeFalco in quarterfinals loss

A tournament-best performance from Long Beach State All-American outside attacker TJ DeFalco was not enough to get the United States past Canada in the Pan American Cup.


The Loyola All-American wasDeFalco had a both a team-high 20 kills and three blocks as the United States lost to Canada 26-24, 26-28, 25-19, 31-29 in the Pan American Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday in Mexico City.

DeFalco was the only U.S. player with double-digit kills in the team’s first loss at the continental event. Former Pepperdine outside attacker Josh Taylor had eight kills, while Loyola middle attacker Jeff Jendryk added seven kills.

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Canadian outside attacker Stephen Maar finished with a match-high 25 kills to help his team advance to the semifinals.

Canada out-blocked the United States 12 to 9. It also had eight aces in the quarterfinals victory — three more than the United States.

The United States entered the quarterfinals after going undefeated in group-play and winning the Group A title.

With this loss, the United States will play in the fifth-place consolation match against Mexico or the Dominican Republic on Thursday.