1 2 3 4 5 USA 24 29 25 25 PUR 26 27 17 17 U.S. Men Come Back to Beat Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (June 3, 2011) – The U.S. Men’s Na onal Volleyball Team took their second 2011 FIVB World League victory, out-blocking Puerto Rico 14-0 in a 24-26, 29-27, 25-17, 25-17 victory. With the victory, the U.S. Men improve to 2-1 in Pool A in the Con nental Round while Puerto Rico falls to 0-3. The two teams will play again on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT in San Juan. A er a lackluster first-set loss, the U.S. Men ba led to win the second set as Puerto Rico fought off three set points. The U.S. Men cruised to victory in the third and fourth sets. Se er Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) was brought in for Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) in the second set while outside hi er Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) started the third and fourth sets for Ma Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.).
Ma Anderson hits against Puerto Rico. (Jose Jimenez)
“Both sides made more errors than they wanted,” U.S. Men’s Team Captain Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) said. “I am really glad to win a er a tough ba le. Our guys from the bench Paul Lotman and Brian Thornton stabilized our game with key produc on.” U.S. opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) led all scorers with 20 points on 15 kills (0.500 hi ng efficiency), three blocks and two aces. Priddy, at outside hi er, added 19 points on 14 kills (41.2 kill percent) three blocks and two aces. “First of all I am happy to get the win,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Hun ngton Beach) said. “We didn’t start the first set very well and had some problems finding our rhythm. Lotman and Thornton did a good job and Stanley was very good tonight. Thornton got significant playing me and he did well.” Puerto Rico out-hit the U.S. Men 56-47. The U.S. Men’s hi ng efficiency was 0.292 while their kill percent was 41.6. Puerto Rico’s hi ng efficiency was 0.261 while its kill percent was 41.8.
U.S. Men’s team captain Reid Priddy, le , and Puerto Rico captain Hector Soto, right, pose with the event mascot. (FIVB photo)
The U.S. Men had seven aces while Puerto Rico had four. Puerto Rico also had 20 service errors while the U.S. was charged with 13. Puerto Rico led in digs 40-36, but also led in digging errors, 46-32. Opposite Hector Soto led Puerto Rico with 16 points on a match-high 16 kills (0.196 hi ng efficiency). Middle blocker Enrique Escalante added 13 points on 11 kills (0.250 hi ng efficiency) and two aces. Among other U.S. scorers, Lotman finished with eight points on six kills and two aces. Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) scored seven points on three kills, three blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) added seven points on four kills and three blocks. Anderson scored six points on five kills and one block. Thornton finished with one point on a block. Thornton was credited with 13 running sets and one fault on 50 a empts. Suxho finished with 10 running sets and no faults on 32 a empts.
52
Brian Thornton sets against Puerto Rico. (Jose Jimenez)