Tomes Recaps Pan American Cup

June 26, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. -

The U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team earned itself not only two days off with a 25-18, 25-12, 25-11 victory Monday night over host Mexico (1-4) at the Sixth Annual Pan American Cup in Colima, Mexico, but bypassed the tournament's quarterfinal round by winning Pool A with a 5-0 record and qualified for the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

Former Sooner Laura Tomes made her second straight start for the squad and added six points in the match with two kills, three blocks and an ace.

Team USA advances to the semifinals on Thursday, June 28, at 6 p.m. CDT and will face the quarterfinal winner of Brazil (4-1, second place Group B) and Argentina (3-2, third place Group A) played on Wednesday, June 27, at 8 p.m. CDT.

With the victory, the U.S. was the only team in the tournament in either pool to go undefeated.

USA Volleyball

Tomes is only the fourth Oklahoma volleyball player in school history to represent the Sooners on a USA National Team. Patrice Arrington, who played on the USA National Team in 2005, was the last Sooner to be named to a USA squad.
The former Sooner has been writing journals for SoonerSports.com since she began training for the USA National Team on March 9.

Below is Tomes' latest installment:
________________________________

Hello from the PanAmerican Cup in Colima, Colima, Mexico!

We arrived in Guadalajara last Monday, which was followed by a three hour, bumpy as it can get trip in a bus that smelled... interesting, to Colima. We passed through a countryside of volcanoes and mountains, however, so it was very pretty landscape to look at. Our hotel is very nice; the pool is huge which would be nice if there was time to enjoy it. All of the countries that are in the tournament are staying here, so its fun to interact some with all of them. Yesterday, a girl from Argentina helped me get a to-go cup because I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out how to explain to the guy that I wanted a cup I could take to my room. She was nice and helpful.

On Tuesday, we had two practices. There is no air conditioning in any of the gyms here, and the weather is very hot and humid. In an hour and a half practice, there are no dry spots on either of my two t-shirts that I've been in for practice. Not only that, but if anyone slides on their stomach, its like a slip-n-slide on the floor because our bodies are completely drenched. Because of all of the humidity, the sweat pretty much just stays on your body. Good thing I appreciate a good sweat.

Tuesday night, the city held a fiesta for the tournament. It was a really great experience; there were people crowded into the area of downtown for as far as we could see from the front of the crowd. Surprisingly enough to me, when we got off the bus, there were loud USA chants and little girls held up American flags while in a cheerleading standing pyramid of sorts. Once we got up near the front stage, we were surrounded by matching girls in USA outfits on one side and people of all ages and genders with painted faces and signs on the other side. It was a really great event. We heard from all of the leaders of the area; it was a huge event for them! The speeches were in Spanish, so I didn't understand much but I'm sure that they were great. Following the speeches, there was a fireworks show over the building which put a great ending on an exciting fiesta.

The night following our first game, against Argentina who we beat in four sets, there was another opening ceremony at the gym. It included a walk of athletes, a gymnastics-like show, and speeches from members and leaders of the area. It is so great to experience all of this - and to be in an environment that loves our sport so much.

We have been playing matches since then. We are the only remaining undefeated team in the tournament! Our pool included Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, and Mexico. Team USA's most challenging game so far was a nail-biter against the Dominican Republic, which is also when I first got to see court time. The game was very intense, and the crowd was great (except for the minor problem that they were cheering for the other team). It was exactly the reason that we play and love volleyball. Both teams fought hard to make for some beautiful volleyball. (For anyone who was at the OU-Texas match last fall when we played at OU, it was similar; although I'll always love that we were able to snap that record) We got them in five sets - it was a battle all the way and completely worth it all!

So, as the winners of Pool A, we have the next two days off, thus advancing directly to the semi-finals and automatically qualifying for the 2008 World Grand Prix. Keep cheering for us - I appreciate everyone's support!

GO SOONERS AND USA!

Journal History
No. 1 (March 22)
No. 2 (April 3)
No. 3 (April 12)
No. 4 (May 2)
No. 5 (June 26)

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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