Jennifer Joines-Tamas Leads Team USA To Bronze At The Women’s Pan American Cup

Joines-Tamas captained Team USA to the bronze medal - Photo: Courtesy of NORCECA

Juarez, Mexico - For the second consecutive season, former Tiger great and Team USA captain Jennifer Joines-Tamas led the American's to the bronze medal at the Women's Pan American Cup.  Team USA downed Cuba in the third-place match, 25-21, 25-16, 25-13, on Saturday night to medal at the tournament.  In the match, Tamas contributed seven kills on 10 attacks and a match-high four blocks for 11 points.

Prior to the bronze medal match, the No. 2 ranked Team USA breezed through the round-robin pool play at 4-1.  Winning their first four matches of the tournament, the American's lone loss came in the final match of pool play when they were edged out by Brazil, the No. 1 ranked team in the world, in five sets.  

Heading into the knockout rounds, Team USA breezed past Argentina in three sets in quarterfinal action.  In the match, Tamas recorded four kills, an ace and a block for six points.  In the semi-finals, the Americans suffered a tough four-set loss to the Dominican Republic, falling for the second-straight year to the Dominican Republic which went on to win the gold in 2010.  In the match, Tamas recorded six kills and three blocks for nine points.  Despite the loss, the berth into the semi-finals was enough to earn 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix.  

The Dominican Republic and Brazil will play for the gold at the Women's Pan American Cup.  Brazil defeated Cuba in semi-final action to earn a berth into the championship match.