USC outside powers U.S. past Mexico to reach U21 NORCECA semifinals

USC outside attacker Sterling Foley responded after the United States lost its first set at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship.

Foley had a game-high eight kills in the final game as the United States defeated the host nation Mexico 25-13, 25-20, 22-25, 25-16 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals.

The USC incoming freshman finished with a match-high 19 kills on a .708 attack percentage against Mexico. Foley also committed one attack error in the final three games to help the United States remain undefeated at the international tournament.

Along with the offensive performance, Foley led all players with three aces.

Setters Tread Rosenthal and Trent Taliaferro guided the U.S. offense to out-hit Mexico .320 to .079. The United States opened the match holding Mexico to a negative attack percentage in the first game and hit a match-best .536 in the final game to close out the match.

Rosenthal also had six kills and was one of five U.S. players with more than five kills. UCLA outside attacker Sean Kelly added 11 kills on a .389 attack percentage, while Parker Tomkinson added nine kills and hit .429.

Mexico pin-hitter Cristian Fernando Cadena Avalos in the loss had a team-high 11 kills.

Both the United States and Mexico entered this group-play finale undefeated with the winner clinching the group title and a bye to the semifinals. Mexico finishing the four-team group in second place will play in the quarterfinals on Friday.