Slideshow Kristin (Richards) Hildebrand had nine points, with seven kills and two aces. She added 13 receptions with a 54 percent positive and excellent rating. Photo by Jordan Murph/USA volleyball Previous Next

Stanford grad Alix Klineman recorded a team-high 14 points, including 11 kills, and the U.S. women's national volleyball team opened the XIV Women's Pan American Cup with a 25-22, 25-12, 25-18 victory over Puerto Rico on Saturday in Lima, Peru.

Cardinal grad and American captain Kristin (Richards) Hildebrand, an outside hitter, totaled nine points with seven kills and two aces. Hildebrand added 13 receptions with a 54 percent positive and excellent rating.

Stanford senior Inky Ajanaku, making her debut with the national team, scored four points in the third set as a substitute. Cardinal grad Cassidy Lichtman completed the scoring with an ace as a sub in all three sets.

Team USA out-blocked Puerto Rico, 7-4, and had a 5-0 ace advantage. The Americans held Puerto Rico to a 28.6 kill percent for the match.

In the opening set, the U.S. opened up a 16-9 advantage at the second technical timeout only to need to withstand a late Puerto Rico charge down the stretch that resulted in a three-point victory.