USC outside attacker Sterling Foley delivered a match-high five aces, helping secure the top seed for Team USA's semifinal rematch.

The United States men's national team completed a flawless run through NORCECA Final Six pool play on Thursday, defeating host nation Puerto Rico in four sets. The American squad secured victories with scores of 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, ensuring their position as the top seed heading into the semifinals.

A standout performance from USC outside attacker Sterling Foley fueled the U.S. effort. Foley notched a match-high five aces, maintaining his dominant serving streak throughout the tournament. This victory sets up an intriguing semifinal clash where the United States will once again face Puerto Rico on Friday.

This marks the fourth encounter between these two teams in just three weeks, including a prior matchup in the Pan American Cup gold-medal match, according to reporting by Off the Block - NCAA Volleyball.

Sterling Foley's Dominant Serving Streak Continues

Sterling Foley's exceptional serving was a cornerstone of the U.S. victory against Puerto Rico. The USC outside attacker recorded at least one ace in all four sets, culminating in a match-high of five. This performance mirrored his previous pool-play match, where he also tallied five aces, showcasing remarkable consistency.

Foley finished pool play with an impressive tournament-best 12 aces. His crucial serves included one early in the fourth set that extended the U.S. lead to four points, helping secure the decisive set. Overall, the United States team finished the match with 13 aces, seven more than Puerto Rico, with seven different U.S. players contributing to the ace count, despite the team recording five fewer aces than service errors.

Key US Players and Team Performance

Beyond Foley's serving prowess, other U.S. players delivered strong performances. UCLA outside attacker Sean Kelly led the team in kills, putting away 12 attacks with a .346 attack percentage. Kelly was particularly effective in the early stages, registering a combined nine kills across the first two sets.

Long Beach State middle attacker Jackson Cryst also played a crucial role, contributing seven kills and achieving a team-best .545 attack percentage. Despite the win, the United States was out-hit by Puerto Rico, who posted a .221 attack percentage compared to the U.S. team's .197. After a strong .358 attack percentage in the opening set, the U.S. offense was limited to hitting no better than .250 in the remaining three games.

Puerto Rico's Efforts and Semifinal Showdown

Puerto Rico's offensive efforts were largely anchored by former Purdue Fort Wayne outside attacker Pelegrin Vargas. Vargas led all players with a match-high 14 kills, making him the only Puerto Rican athlete to achieve double-digit kills in the contest. Despite Vargas's individual brilliance, Puerto Rico's loss placed them in fourth position in pool play.

This outcome sets the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal rematch against the United States on Friday. The two nations have developed a competitive rivalry, having met twice recently at the Pan American Cup, with the United States emerging victorious in both encounters, including the crucial gold-medal match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the top server for the United States in the win against Puerto Rico?

USC outside attacker Sterling Foley was the top server for the United States, recording a match-high five aces against Puerto Rico.

What is the United States' record in NORCECA Final Six pool play?

The United States finished NORCECA Final Six pool play with an undefeated record, securing the top seed for the semifinals.

When is the semifinal match between the United States and Puerto Rico?

The semifinal match between the United States and Puerto Rico is scheduled for Friday, marking their fourth meeting in three weeks.

Who led Puerto Rico in kills against the United States?

Former Purdue Fort Wayne outside attacker Pelegrin Vargas led Puerto Rico with a match-high 14 kills against the United States.