Tomes, USA Advance to Medal Round

July 15, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - After a slow start to the match, Laura Tomes and the the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team picked up its passing and energy en route to defeating Puerto Rico 21-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-22 Sunday afternoon during the XV Pan American Games held at Maracanãzinho Gymnasium.

Tomes, a former Sooner volleyball player, made an appearance in the win as the middle blocker subbed in in the first set.

The U.S. (2-0), grouped into Pool B of the eight-team women's volleyball tournament, faces Cuba on July 16 at 6 p.m. ET to close out preliminary round competition. The Team USA victory over Puerto Rico enabled the Americans to qualify for the four-team medal round no matter the outcome versus Cuba, which is scheduled to air on ESPN Deportes.

The top two teams in both Pool A and Pool B advance to the championship bracket with semifinals on July 18 and finals on July 19. The U.S. battled back from an early 17-12 deficit in the first to within two at 18-16, but Puerto Rico used a key 5-0 run to close out the set at 25-21. With the score tied at 13-all in the second set, Team USA rattled off a 7-1 run with Danielle Scott-Arruda (Baton Rouge, La.) winning four of the points en route to a 25-18 victory. The Americans used a 5-1 run to separate itself from an early 6-5 lead in the third set en route to a 25-16 win. The U.S. battled back from a 14-10 deficit to win the fourth set thanks to a 6-2 run that put them back into a tie. USA went on to win 25-22 with great defense down the stretch.

Tayyiba Haneef-Park (Laguna Hills, Calif.) led the American attack with 18 points via 14 kills, three blocks and an ace. She also provided a team-leading 13 digs. Scott-Arruda added 15 points that included 11 kills, three blocks and an ace.

Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Fla.) scored 12 kills on 20 attacks, one block and one ace for 14 points. Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.) tacked on 12 points with 10 kills, an ace and block. Cassie Busse (Prior Lake, Minn.) notched five points all on kills, while Courtney Thompson (Kent, Wash.) added 18 assists and three points, including two blocks coming off the bench as the setter the final three sets. Kristen Fenton Michealis (Marysville, Mich.) totaled 10 digs and 10 excellent reception attempts.

"Puerto Rico came out fired up, serving well and playing aggressive," said Sue Woodstra, who is serving as the U.S. Women's National Team head coach. "We have a young group, and I am pretty proud of how they battled back in the second and fourth sets."

Woodstra started Scott-Arruda and Akinradewo at middle blocker, Haneef-Park and Barboza at outside hitter, Busse at opposite and Lindsey Hunter (Papillion, Neb.) at setter. Fenton Michaelis is the U.S. designated libero for the tournament. Thompson and Tomes (Sioux City, Iowa) entered as subs in the first set. Thompson started the next three sets in place of Hunter.

"We feel like today's Puerto Rico match was very important to move on to the medal round," Woodstra said. "Tomorrow is still important even though we have qualified for the medal round. We want to continue improving as a team and will prepare for Cuba like any other match."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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