PR falls to the US, will play for 5th-8th place in Santo Domingo
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
By THE STAR STAFF
The United States recorded a straight-sets victory over Puerto Rico on Monday to qualify for the semifinals of the 2026 Women’s NORCECA Continental Championship at the Prof. Ricardo Gioriver Arias Volleyball Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The set scores were 26-24, 25-15 and 25-17.
Puerto Rico was slated to compete in the classification round for positions 5-8, facing Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday. The U.S. was to play the Dominican Republic in the semifinals.
The tournament awards berths for the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship.
Puerto Rico got off to a strong start, executing the tactical plan devised by the coaching staff, and held a 24-23 lead late in the first set.
The United States needed an answer and it got one. The Americans closed out the set with three consecutive points -- including two straight attacks by Asjia O’Neal.
That finish set the tone for the match. From the second set onwards, the U.S. was more solid on defense and more organized at the net -- elements Puerto Rico coach Juan Carlos Núñez highlighted as decisive factors.
“The United States showed great defensive quality at the net and great defensive ability on the court, and we simply couldn’t overcome it,” he said.
The U.S. won the subsequent sets by wide margins by maintaining constant pressure with their serve and capitalizing on transition opportunities.
The U.S. led in the key team statistics -- attacks, 42-33; blocks, 13-5; service aces, 3-2 -- and committed two fewer unforced errors (U.S. 16, Puerto Rico 18).
Simone Lee led the U.S. offense with 16 points (13 attacks, three blocks), followed by O’Neal with 13 points and Stephanie Samedy with 10.
Paola Santiago led Puerto Rico with nine points, while Decelise Champion added eight.
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