U.S. breezes past Suriname, stays undefeated at U19 NORCECA Championship

Photo courtesy of the FIVB and NORECA

The serving game for the United States continued to wreak havoc at the U19 NORCECA Continental Championship.

The United States finished with a tournament-high 14 aces as it swept Suriname 25-13, 25-11, 25-16 on Wednesday in Ponce, Puerto Rico to remain undefeated in group-play.

This is the second consecutive match to open the tournament that the United States had more than 10 aces. The United States also ended with two more aces than service errors against Suriname.

Outside attacker Thomas Demps IV led all players with five aces, including having three consecutive aces in the opening game. Opposite Cooper Keane added four aces, while middle attacker Dante Cayaban had two aces.

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Setter Malakai Tuakoi guided the U.S. offense to out-hit Suriname .246 to negative-.101.

Along with the serving performance, Demps IV had a match-high eight kills on a .462 attack percentage. Middle attacker Roman Payne contributed five kills and hit a match-best .667.

Libero Bluth Layton defensively had a match-high 11 digs. Layton also led the United States with seven excellent service receptions.

Outside attacker Gianni Ritfeld in the loss had a team-high five kills and was the only Suriname player to have more than one kill.

The United States with this victory moves into sole possession of first place in Group A and clinched a berth to the quarterfinals. The team can win the group title and earn a bye to the semifinals if it beats Cuba in its group-play finale on Thursday.

Cuba defeated Canada in five games on Wednesday to remain undefeated in group-play.