U.S. men lose to Canada for World League bronze; congrats to McKibbin

one of those Sunday things and maybe a little too much sun after paddling. forgot to put up the item that ran in today’s paper.
The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, with two players from Hawaii in the starting lineup, fell to Canada in the FIVB World League bronze-medal match Sunday in Curitiba, Brazil.

Setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha) had 22 assists, seven digs and a kill, and libero Erik Shoji (Punahou) added 12 digs in the 18-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21 loss in Arena da Baixada.

Team captain Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani), a reserve setter, came off the bench in all four sets, finishing with seven assists, a block and three digs. Former University of Hawaii middle blocker Taylor Averill did not play.

>> Punahou graduate Maddison McKibbin and partner Ty Loomis edged Billy Allen and Stafford Slick 24-22, 21-19 in the championship match of the AVP San Francisco Open on Sunday.
The win marks McKibbin’s first career victory on the AVP tour; his previous best finish was fifth-place earlier this year.