ONCE, PUERTO RICO
The U.S. Boys U19 National Team defeated Cuba 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18) to capture the gold medal at the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship on Sunday in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The victory earns the U.S. squad a berth in the 2025 FIVB World Championship.
The U.S. went undefeated in the event finishing the championship with an overal record of 5-0 [15-1 record in sets]. The win over Cuba was the teams second in Puerto Rico, having won pool play match 3-0 on day 3.
Thomas Demps IV, Triangle Boys 16 Black, was chosen as the championship’s Best Server. In the championship match Demps continued his strong serving with a match-best four aces, highlighted by consecutive aces late in the fourth set.
Cuba took its first three-point lead of the match at 12-9 in the third set. The U.S. pulled within two points on two occasions but could get no closer. The loss broke a 14-set winning streak in the tournament.
A strong fourth set saw the USA in the lead for the entirety of the set where Demps’ two aces put the set out of reach at 24-16.
Demps joins five other Triangle alums representing the US National team in international competition, Megan (Hodge) Easy ’06, Katie Slay ’10, Madison Bugg ’12, Destiny Cox ’18 and Ade Owokoniran ’18.
