Nothing was getting past USC middle attacker Parker Tomkinson.
Tomkinson led all players with eight blocks as the United States swept Costa Rica 25-15, 26-24, 25-14 in its tournament opener at the Pan American Cup on Sunday in Mexico.
Tomkinson delivered the game-winning block in the second-game overtime. The middle attacker also had a game-high five blocks in the final game, including two blocks as part of a 6-1 run midway through the game.
The United States finished the match with 16 blocks – 13 more blocks than Costa Rica – and limited Costa Rica to negative-.016 attack percentage.
Along with Tomkinson, former UCLA middle attacker Cameron Thorne had four blocks and Hawai’i setter Tread Rosenthal added two blocks.
Rosenthal also guided the U.S. offense to a .367 attack percentage against Costa Rica.
UCLA outside attacker Sean Kelly had a match-high nine kills on a .429 attack percentage. Former CSUN pin-hitter Kyle Hobus added seven kills, while Thorne and Tomkinson each had six kills.
Costa Rica pin-hitter Ignacio Morales Sánchez in the loss finished with a team-high eight kills.