Hawaii players lead U.S. team into final

The U.S. national team got by Puerto Rico 25-13, 24-26, 25-20, 25-16 Friday to reach tonight’s final of the NORCECA Continental Championship, in Langley, British Columbia.

Host Canada took on Cuba in Friday’s late semifinal. Cuba and Team USA have won every NORCECA title since the biennial event began in 1969.

Hawaii’s Micah Christenson and Futi Tavana, making their international debuts this week, started at setter and middle. Christenson had two kills, two blocks and an ace, while Tavana contributed three kills, a block and an ace. Erik Shoji, the U.S. libero from Hawaii, had 13 "excellent receptions" and three digs.

Tonight’s champion qualifies for the FIVB Grand Champions Cup in November in Japan