Outside attacker Keoni Thiim quickly eliminated any chance of a possible upset.
Thiim finished with both a match-high 11 kills on a .556 attack percentage and three aces as the United States swept Suriname 25-13, 25-17, 25-11 at the NORCECA Final Six on Thursday in Puerto Rico.
The former Hawai’i and BYU pin-hitter led all players with seven kills in the second game, including two kills as part of a 9-2 run to start the game. Thim also committed one attack error en route to the United States winning its third consecutive pool-play match.
The United States committed a tournament-low five attack errors and out-hit Suriname .522 to .127.
UCLA All-American middle attacker Cameron Thorne contributed seven kills and zero errors on a match-high .857 attack percentage. BYU outside attacker Trent Moser added five kills and zero errors on a .625 attack percentage, while Ball State outside attacker Patrick Rogers had seven kills.
The United States finished with 10 aces – nine more aces than Suriname.
Along with Thiim, Loyola setter Ryan McElligott had three aces and McKendree setter Nate Flayter added two aces.
Suriname pin-hitters Gianni Ritfeld and Faiq Lobo in the loss each finished with a team-high four kills. Both players, though, were limited to less than .200 attack percentage.
The United States with this victory clinched a berth to the semifinals and remain in second place entering its pool-play finale against first-place Puerto Rico.
Both Puerto Rico and Mexico have already clinched semifinals berths entering the final day of pool-play.