July 24, 2008

Saltillo, Coahuila, México - Illinois incoming freshman Michelle Bartsch had 12 points, including the deciding set one kill as the United States Junior National Team advanced to the medal round of the North, Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA) Junior Volleyball Championships with a 25-22, 25-13, 18-25, 25-21 victory over Canada. The United States finished second in Pool A with a 2-1 record and will play Friday in the quarterfinals of the single elimination tournament against either Mexico or Trinidad & Tobago.

Bartsch has started at middle blocker the past three days for the United States. She had seven points and two aces in the first match of the tournament against Dominica, but the United States was upset in four sets, 25-23, 24-26, 25-20, 25-17. The U.S. bounced back on Wednesday with a straight set 25-12, 25-14, 25-11 victory over Costa Rica in a match that lasted just 54 minutes. Bartsch had six points and one ace in the victory. Among her 12 points on Thursday against Canada was a key kill late in set four to help the Americans overcome a four-point 15-11 deficit and clinch the victory.

For more on the tournament visit usavolleyball.org.