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It did not take long for Grand Canyon pin-hitter Camden Gianni to have a big offensive performance at an international tournament.
Gianni finished with both a match-high three aces and 15 kills on a .591 attack percentage as the United States swept the Dominican Republic 25-17, 25-9, 25-19 on Tuesday in Edmonton, Alberta to begin pool-play at the NORCECA Final Six.
Gianni led the United States with five kills in each of the three games. The All-American also committed two attack errors the entire match, including being errorless during the team’s 16-point second-game victory.
UCLA setter Andrew Rowan guided the United States to out-hit the Dominican Republic .514 to .061. In addition, the United States in the second game limited the Dominican Republic to a single kill and a match-low negative-.385 attack percentage.
Gianni was one of five U.S. players with at least five kills in the opener.
Former Hawai’i middle attacker Patrick Gasman had five kills on a perfect 1.000 attack percentage, while former Stanford outside attacker Jordan Ewert added nine kills Former Vassar middle attacker Matthew Knigge, the only NCAA Division III player on the U.S. roster, contributed eight kills.
UCLA outside attacker Ethan Champlin also contributed five kills and during a 7-0 run the second game had an ace.
The United States out-blocked the Dominican Republic 9 to 4 with Knigge having a match-high four kills. In addition, Gasman had two blocks against the Dominican Republic.
The United States will continue group-play with a match against Mexico on Wednesday.
Mexico in its pool-play opener rallied from a two-game deficit to defeat Cuba in five games on Tuesday.