U.S. Runs the Table Into Final Six Semifinals

The United States completed a perfect preliminary round at the NORCECA Women’s Final Six with a 3-1 victory over Puerto Rico, recovering from its only real stumble of the night to win 25-22, 18-25, 25-21, 25-13. Claire Hoffman led all players with 15 points on 13 kills and two blocks, while Sami Francis added 11 kills and Caitie Baird had 10. The U.S. finished with a 56-46 advantage in kills and advanced to the semifinals at 5-0.

Puerto Rico made the Americans work for it. The U.S. trailed 22-21 late in the opening set before Hoffman helped fuel a four-point closing run, then Puerto Rico controlled the second to level the match. The response was decisive. Hoffman had five kills as the U.S. steadied itself in the third, then Hoffman, Francis and Baird combined for 15 kills in a runaway fourth. Setter Ella Powell ended it herself with a second-ball kill.