UCLA outside attacker Sean Kelly took control of the match to put the United States in the gold-medal match.
Kelly finished with a match-high 17 kills on a .400 attack percentage as the United States swept Puerto Rico 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 on Friday in the semifinals of the NORCECA Final Six.
The All-American led all players with seven kills and zero errors in the final game. Kelly had back-to-back kills as part of an 8-2 run to give the United States an eight-point lead late in the third game.
Kelly opened the semifinals with a game-high six kills in the first game.
Hawai’i setter Tread Rosenthal guided the offense to out-hit Puerto Rico .351 to .279.
Along with Kelly, Hawai’i opposite Kainoa and former Ohio State outside attacker Jacob Pasteur each contributed 10 kills. Former UCLA middle attacker Cameron Thorne also had five kills and zero errors on a .625 attack percentage.
Puerto Rico prevented the United States from converting on multiple game-points opportunities in the second and third game and almost forced both games into overtime.
Puerto Rico rallied from a 24-21 deficit and fought off two game-points before the United States had a game-winning kill USC middle attacker Parker Tomkinson. In addition, the team trailed 24-19 in the third game and four game-points to only lose the match on a service error.
Puerto Rico pin-hitter Pedro Molina in the loss had a team-high 14 kills, while former Purdue Fort Wayne outside Pelegrin Vargas added 10 kills.
This was the second consecutive win in two days for the United States against the host nation. The United States defeated Puerto Rico in four games on Thursday to finish pool-play undefeated and earn the top seed for the semifinals.
The United States with this victory will advance to play Canada in the gold-medal match on Saturday.
Long Beach State opposite Daniil Hershtynovich had a match-high 12 kills on a .455 attack percentage to help Canada sweep Mexico in the other semifinal match on Friday.