Photo of Haneef-Park courtesy Brandon Helwig, USA Volleyball

The U.S. Women’s National Team earned a spot into next year’s FIVB World Championship after topping Costa Rica 25-15, 25-9, 25-15 on Wednesday evening in Orlando to finish the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament – NORCECA Pool G with an undefeated 3-0 record.

“I honestly think Costa Rica is a good team and better than when we last played them at the Pan American Cup,” U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “At the same time, I think we are a better team. We went into tonight’s match with a plan and executed it. We are happy that we have qualified for the World Championships next year.”

The U.S. was led by tournament most valuable player and Best Spiker (and Wilson grad) Cynthia Barboza, who had matching 18 points in the match. Barboza tallied 16 kills as part of her totals. Long Beach State grads Danielle Scott-Arruda contributed eight points, while fellow 49er Tayyiba Haneef-Park put down six points.

“We are trying to get better on each play,” Scott-Arruda said. “We are glad to be on the medal stand here and qualified for the World Championship.”