1 2 3 4 5 USA 25 25 37 RUS 22 19 35 U.S. Men Bounce Back with Sweep of Poland LODZ, Poland (May 28, 2011) – U.S. Men’s Na onal Volleyball Team Head Coach Alan Knipe showed confidence in his star ng lineup and it paid off as the U.S. Men defeated Poland, 25-22, 25-19, 37-35 to earn their first victory in the Con nental (pool play) Round of the 2011 FIVB World League. The U.S. Men improved their record in Pool A to 1-1 as they head to San Juan, Puerto Rico for their next two matches on June 3-4. Poland (1-1) will travel to Rio de Janeiro to face Brazil on June 4-5.
Gabe Gardner (15), Ryan Millar (9) and Ma Anderson (1) block against Poland. (FIVB photo)
Knipe (Hun ngton Beach, Calif.) made no changes to his star ng lineup despite its poor performance against Poland on Friday, when it was swept. His confidence paid off as four players scored in double figures and the U.S. Men improved all aspects of their game. In a third-set ba le, the U.S. Men held leads of 15-10 and 16-12, but Poland fought back and ed the match at 21-21. Poland took its first set point at 24-22 and went on to hold seven more set points while the U.S. took match point five mes before finally ge ng the victory. “We were a more focused team tonight; focusing intently on each and every play and taking the game one point at a me,” U.S. Assistant Coach Gary Sato (Los Angeles, Calif.) said. “We developed a much be er rhythm tonight and the guys showed a lot of heart and character to bounce back and win the serve and pass ba le. Donald Suxho executed the game plan perfectly.” For the second night, outside hi er Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) led the United States with 17 points on 15 kills and two aces. He was named the match’s Most Valuable Player. Outside hi er Ma Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) had a much be er night on Saturday, scoring 16 points on 13 kills, two blocks and one ace. Zbigniew Bartman led all scorers for a second night with 21 points on a match-high 19 kills and two blocks. Poland also used the same star ng lineup as Saturday, but made many more changes throughout the match. The teams were ed in kills, 42-42. However, the United States’ hi ng efficiency was 0.333 and its kill percent was 46.7 while Poland’s hi ng efficiency was 0.189 and its kill percent was 39.6.
Donald Suxho (7) sets for Ryan Millar. (FIVB photo)
The United States out-blocked Poland 15-6 and had eight aces while Poland scored on three. Poland led in digs 66-63, but was hurt by 28 errors, while the United States had 15. The U.S. was credited with 28 excellent recep ons and four faults while Poland had 21 excellent recep ons and seven faults. Millar finished the match with 11 points on five kills, five blocks and one ace. Among the other U.S. starters, middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) also scored 11 points on five kills, five blocks and one ace. Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) totaled nine points on three kills, three blocks and a match-high three aces. Se er Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) scored one point with a kill, and was also credited with 32 running sets and one fault on 65 a empts.
20
Reid Priddy, right, is congratulated for being named the match’s most valuable player. (FIVB photo)