June 29, 2009
Former Nittany Lion women's volleyball player Christa Harmotto is in the midst of a long week of competition for the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2009 Pan American Cup. The event is being held in the U.S. in Miami, Fla. for the first time in its seven-year history.
The U.S. women are off to a 3-0 start after the first three days of the five-day, round robin preliminary. After opening play with a 3-0 (25-7, 25-6, 25-16) win versus Costa Rica on June 26, the U.S. defeated Guatemala by set scores of 25-7, 25-12, and 25-7. Harmotto tallied eight points off of six kills and two blocks in the match.
On June 28, the U.S. earned another convincing win with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-11) win against Mexico. Harmotto registered seven points in the match, including recording a team-high four service aces. The U.S. Women's National Team continues play today against Peru before taking on Puerto Rico on June 30. Both matches are at 8 p.m. in the Bank United Center at the University of Miami.
Harmotto was a four-year member of the Penn State women's volleyball team under head coach Russ Rose. She helped guide the Nittany Lions to back-to-back NCAA National Championships in her final two seasons at PSU.
2009 Women's Pan American Cup Schedule for the U.S. Women
Pool A(at University of Miami)
Standings: USA 3-0, Puerto Rico 3-0, Peru 2-1, Costa Rica 1-2, Mexico 0-3, Guatemala 0-3
June 26: #4 United States def. Costa Rica 25-7, 25-6, 25-16
June 27: #9 United States def. Guatemala 25-7, 25-12, 25-7
June 28: #14 United States def. Mexico 25-19, 25-14, 25-11
June 29: #19 United States vs. Peru, 8 p.m.
June 30: #24 United States vs. Puerto Rico, 8 p.m.