Drews Delivering Big Time For U.S. In Pan Am Cup
Annie Drews, as she has on every level, is being a difference maker for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team in the Pan American Cup.
Drews, a former star at Elkhart Central and Penn high schools, has led her team into a semifinal match on Saturday after finishing perfect in pool play.
Drews, an Elkhart native who went on to star at Purdue University, paced the Americans in scoring during each of their final two Pool A victories.
Drews, a 6-4 opposite, notched 14 kills on 33 swings and added two blocks for a match-high 16 points in a pivotal 3-0 sweep of Argentina on Wednesday during the tourney in Peru. The U.S. won 27-25, 25-14, 25-23.
Drews had a team-high 15 points a day earlier In a 25-13, 25-15, 25-13 sweep of Mexico. She hammered down 11 kills in 15 errorless attacks to go with two blocks and two aces
The U.S. cruised by Venezuela and Colombia in straight sets in its opening two matches before being pushed in a thriller by Puerto Rico, but holding on 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 15-12. Drews had seven points in that match, after leading a balanced attack with nine against Colombia.
Drews, who helped lead Penn to a pair of Class 4-A state championships after transferring there from Elkhart Central, will lead her U.S. team into a semifinal match Saturday versus the winner of Puerto Rico vs. Cuba, while the Dominican Republic awaits the survivor of Peru vs. Argentina in the other semifinal matchup.