U.S. men advance to World League gold medal match
Christenson set, E. Shoji the libero. K. Shoji did not play.
From USAV
:http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2014/July/19/Win-Sends-US-To-Gold-Medal-Match
The U.S. Men’s National Team downed Iran in straight-sets on Saturday, 25-18, 25-22, 25-16, earning a spot in the FIVB World LeagueFinal Round gold medal match in Florence, Italy.
The gold medal match will be played against the world No. 1 Brazil Sunday at 8:30 a.m. HST
The victory over Iran gives Team USA an opportunity to repeat 2008’s FIVB World League gold medal. The U.S. Men finished with silver in 2012.
After dropping its first Final Round match to Italy, the U.S. Men have outscored their last two opponents by a combined 172-141 margin.
Propelled by Taylor Sander’s (Huntington Beach, Calif.) 17 points, the U.S. Men dominated Iran in every phase of Saturday’s match, winning in attacks 46-35, blocks 7-1, aces 7-1 and digs 31-28.
Sander had a match-high 16 attacks on 20 attempts. The outside hitter also picked up an ace to round out his point total.
Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) and Lee added 11 points apiece to the win, with Max Holt (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) notching 10 and nine points respectively.
Erik Shoji (Honolulu, Hawaii.) had nine digs on Saturday with only one fault, while Anderson also picked up nine digs on just two faults.
Micah Christenson (Honolulu, Hawaii.) was credited with 22 running sets and 45 still sets on 68 attempts at the setter spot. Erik Shoji aided Team USA with six still sets, while also nabbing 11 excellent receptions on 14 attempts at the libero spot.
Iran’s Amir Ghafour finished with 10 points on 10 attacks to led his team.
For those who are following the FIVB World games, the gold medal game is in progressed with US taking the first set 31 – 29.
2nd set went to Brazil 25 -21 and US got the 3rd set 25 -20 with good hitting from Sander and Anderson. GO USA!!
The US men just won the FIVB World League gold medal game against Brazil in 4 sets 31-29, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23. What a fabulous WIN! Proud of you USA men. Hope you will carry this confidence to the Olympic games in 2 years when it counts. Cindy, I am hoping you will have a recap of the whole game later. Thanks!! I am just excited that US won!
Great that USA won and I’m excited for them. Too bad we can’t watch that thrilling match. Why are we denied?
I am not sure why USN do not have the World League finals on their schedule. Trying to see if they are going to broadcast in on a later date. That should have been an exciting game to watch even on a delayed basis. But there is none on the schedule. Was able to watch all the preliminaries on a delayed basis.
4, 5. There’s some issue with ‘TV rights’ according to FIVB web TV.
Also unavailable in Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Hungary and the Middle East.
http://youtu.be/pw6rVXyzFco
Brazil x USA – Final – 2014 FIVB Men’s World League
courtesy of Wop on another thread.