Olmstead and Team USA advance to semis after undefeated pool play

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – BYU women’s volleyball head coach Heather Olmstead helped the U.S. Women’s National Team go undefeated in pool play Wednesday, automatically advancing the squad to the semis of the 2016 Pan American Cup.

The U.S. improved to 5-0 in pool play with their sweep against Argentina on Wednesday (25-14, 25-13, 25-23). Previous pool play wins included July 2 against Peru (25-20, 25-19, 27-25), July 3 against Trinidad & Tobago (25-11, 25-13, 25-19), July 4 against Cuba (19-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-15, 15-7) and July 5 against Costa Rica (25-16, 25-10, 25-18).

As winners of Pool B, Team USA will advance directly to Saturday’s semifinal round to play one of Friday’s quarterfinal winners (Puerto Rico or Cuba). The Pan Am Cup concludes on Sunday with the medal rounds.

Olmstead helped Team USA capture gold in the 2015 Pan Am Games, avenging its only loss in pool play to Brazil in the championship match.

The U.S. has won the Pan Am Cup three of the past four years and four total times since the inaugural event in 2002.