The offense right from the start was in rhythm for the United States.
Setter Carter Tchaikovsky guided the offense to a match-best .522 attack percentage in the opening game as the United States swept Puerto Rico 25-14, 25-23, 25-17 on Wednesday at the U17 Pan American Cup.
The United States committed two attack errors in the first game of the pool-play sweep and for the match out-hit Puerto Rico .315 to .068.
Middle attacker Nikodem Opiola led the United States with seven kills on a .333 attack percentage, including two kills during a 6-2 run midway through the opening game. Pin-hitters Logan Flores and Gavin McWaters also each had a team-high seven kills.
Along with the offensive performance, Flores had a match-high two blocks. The United States finished with six blocks – four more blocks than Puerto Rico.
Pin-hitter Gustavo Alejandro Guadalupe Gonzalez in the loss had a match-high eight kills. Guadalupe, though, was the only Puerto Rico player to have more than three kills and hit more than zero.
Puerto Rico was limited to less than a .100 attack percentage in two of the three games, including hitting .042 in the final game.
U.S. libero Collin Tullis led all players defensively with nine digs.
The United States with this victory remains undefeated in pool-play. The team opened the tournament with a five-game victory against Mexico on Tuesday.