Fisher, Team USA secure bronze medals at 2016 Pan Am Cup

With his second major tournament as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team behind him, Pitt head volleyball coach Dan Fisher now has two medals to his credit: a gold and a bronze.

After a semifinal loss to Puerto Rico Saturday night, Team USA came up short in its quest for a second consecutive Pan American gold medal. But the Americans still left the 2016 Pan American Cup in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with bronze medals around their necks.

“It’s great to be back on the podium and represent the U.S.A.,” Fisher said in a press release Sunday. “I’m proud of our work here but of course looking forward to being back in Pittsburgh and the season ahead.”

Team USA stormed back after dropping the first set to Cuba, 20-25, in the bronze medal match Sunday afternoon. The Americans dominated the next three sets by scores of 25-9, 25-15 and 25-9 again to clinch third place at the tournament.

Micah Hancock broke her own tournament record with 12 aces and scored a team-high 15 points for the Americans.

Last year, Fisher guided the team to a gold medal at the Pan American Games with a 3-0 sweep over Brazil in the championship match. This year, after finishing on top of Group B in the group stage with a perfect 5-0 record, Team USA got a bye into the semifinals to face Puerto Rico.

The Americans dropped the first set, 20-25, then came back to tie the match after winning the second set, 25-21. But Puerto Rico took the next two sets by scores of 25-17 and 25-20 to advance to the tournament finals and end Team USA’s unbeaten run and repeat bid.

Fisher is 67-29 for a .698 winning percentage in three seasons as Pitt’s head coach. He and the Pitt volleyball team start the 2016 season on Aug. 26 at the Kennesaw State Invitational.