July 6, 2009
MIAMI, Fla. - Former Nittany Lion women's volleyball player Christa Harmotto and the U.S. Women's National Team finished fourth in the Eighth Women's Pan American Cup on July 4 at the University of Miami's BankUnited Center. The U.S. suffered two 3-1 setbacks in matches against Brazil and Puerto Rico.
The U.S. women faced Brazil in the semifinals on Friday, July 3. Despite the U.S. winning the first set, 25-22, Brazil came back to win the next three sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-14) for the 3-1 victory. Brazil advanced to the championship match, while the U.S. was to face Puerto Rico in the bronze medal match. Harmotto, who started at middle blocker, finished third on the team in the match with 10 points (eight kills, two blocks).
On Independence Day, the U.S. women challenged Puerto Rico in hopes of winning the bronze medal. After Puerto Rico won the first set, 25-22, the U.S. fought back for a 25-20 second set win of its own. However, Puerto Rico won the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-20, to take home the bronze medal.
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 Titles in her final two seasons at PSU.