The U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team (featuring Wilson alum Cynthia Barboza) sprinted to a 25-15, 25-20, 25-17 sweep of Cuba on Saturday evening in the bronze-medal match of the IX Pan American Cup being held in Tijuana, Mexico.

“Our main goal was to qualify to the World Grand Prix, but it was good to see our team coming back strong after the loss of last night (to Dominican Republic)”, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “We are happy with the victory and happy about going to the Grand Prix next year.”

In the process, Team USA earned its first medal at the Pan American Cup since 2004. The U.S. medaled in the first three Women’s Pan American Cups, starting with a bronze in the inaugural event in 2002, the gold in 2003 and the silver in 2004. Since then, Team USA had not reached the podium in the five most recent events.

From reports by USA Volleyball