Ball State commit Dante Cayaban left no doubt that the United States would make the semifinals of the U19 NORCECA Pan American Cup.
Cayaban led all players with two aces and had eight kills and zero errors on a match-best .720 attack percentage as the United States swept Puerto Rico 25-17, 25-14, 25-19 on Thursday in Mexico.
The United States with this pool-play finale victory clinched the Group A championship and earned a bye to the semifinals on Saturday.
Penn State commit Peter Chriss and Lindenwood commit Brett Novak both splitting time at setter guided the United States to out-hit Puerto Rico .432 to .039. In addition, the United States committed a combined five attack errors in the first two games – eight fewer errors than Puerto Rico.
Three U.S. players had more than five kills highlighted with USC commit Kale Cochran having a match-high 13 kills on a .476 attack percentage.
Along with Cayaban, BYU commit Corbin Batista contributed eight kills.
Gustavo Antonio Alvarez in the loss led Puerto Rico six kills.Purdue Fort Wayne commit Jean Paul Gonzalez also had four kills but was held to a negative attack percentage against the United States.
Puerto Rico was limited to a zero attack percentage in each of the final two games.
Long Beach State commit Ben Bayer led the United States defensively with 13 digs.
The United States finished pool-play undefeated and dropped one set in its three matches. The team defeated Venezuela in four games to open the tournament on Tuesday and then swept Canada on Wednesday.
Both Canada and Venezuela earned the two quarterfinals berths from the four-team pool.
Venezuela defeated Canada in its pool-play finale Thursday to finish the pool in second place, while Canada dropped into third place.