With Hawai'i's Lindsey Berg setting and former University of Hawai'i All-American Heather Bown in the middle, the U.S. women's national team opened the NORCECA Continental Championship with a 25-18, 25-10, 25-13 victory over Mexico in Pool B yesterday in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Team USA, ranked second in the world, continues pool play today against fifth-ranked Cuba, NORCECA's defending champion. The tournament ends Tuesday.

Berg had three aces and a block against Mexico. Bown also scored four points.

The NORCECA Continental Championship winner qualifies for the FIVB Grand Champions Cup, played in November in Japan. Each of the four continental champions earns a spot along with host Japan and one wild card team.

SAILING

BRONZE FOR O'BRYAN

Former University of Hawai'i All-American Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer captured a bronze medal in the Elliott 6m division at the International Sailing Federation Sail for Gold World Cup last weekend in Weymouth, England.

O'Bryan was a member of the crew for Olympic gold medalist Anna Tunnicliffe.