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The United States women's national volleyball team defeated Puerto Rico, 25-16, 25-18, 25-22, Saturday in front of a crowd of about 4,000 during the final preliminary round weekend of the FIVB World Grand Prix in Bangkok, Thailand.

Stanford grad Foluke Akinradewo had eight kills on 14 attempts, and a match-high three blocks. Cardinal grad Cynthia Barboza added six kills and four digs, although the Americans (1-1, 3-5) were eliminated from the final round of the Grand Prix next weekend in Tokyo.

Russia's win over Thailand earlier in the day ended U.S. hopes.

"We tried to control what we could control in the game and we accomplished that," U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "We also tried to refrain from making mistakes. We played our level."

USA captain Nancy Metcalf and Jordan Larson led the team, each with 11 kills.

"We expected to win this match and we could make it," said Metcalf. "I'm happy that we made it again. We have to keep on our form."

Stacy Sykora recorded 10 digs, while Larson totaled seven excellent receptions on 27 attempts. Courtney Thompson provided 35 assists.

Track and field
The final of the women's triple jump will be without an American as Stanford grad Erica McLain leaped only 43-11 1/4 to finish 32nd in Saturday's qualifying round of the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Berlin.

Reigning USA Outdoor champion Shakeema Welsch was 17th in qualifying with a best effort of 45-11 3/4 while three-time USA Outdoor champion Shani Marks was 27th with a jump of 44-10 1/4.

In other U.S. highlights, American recordholder Jenny Barringer passed over the final 100 of the women's steeplechase to finish third in 9:26.81 and automatically qualify for the final.

Defending champion Tyson Gay led Team USA's 100m contingent into Saturday night's second round, running 10.16 to win heat 11, the fastest time in the first round.

In the men's shot put, former world champion Adam Nelson, Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell and reigning World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa all easily made Saturday's final.