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Jake Hanes delivered one of the best performances in his career to secure a quarterfinals berth for the United States.
The former Ohio State opposite led all players with six aces and 21 kills as the United States defeated the Dominican Republic 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 26-24 at the NORCECA Continental Championship on Thursday in Durango, Mexico.
The United States with this victory remains undefeated in group-play and has clinched at least a spot in the quarterfinals. It also can secure a semifinals berth and win the group championship if it beats undefeated Cuba in its pool-play finale on Friday.
This was the second consecutive match at the NORCECA Continental Championship that Hanes had a double-digit kills. Hanes had 13 kills in a five-game victory versus Guatemala to open the tournament.
The United States had three players with at least nine kills against the Dominican Republic.Along with Hanes, Penn State All-American outside attacker Brett Wildman contributed 11 kills, while Lewis All-American middle attacker Tyler Mitchem had nine kills.
Mitchem also had a match-high five blocks as the United States out-blocked the Dominican Republic 12 to 7.
Henry Omar Tapia in the loss led the Dominican Republic with nine kills.
The Dominican Republic will play Guatemala in its pool-play finale on Thursday. The winner of that match will earn the group’s final quarterfinals berth.