1 2 3 4 5 USA 20 18 25 25 17 KOR 25 25 17 23 15 U.S. Men Complete Comeback to Beat Korea FLORENCE, Italy (May 19, 2012) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team used a valiant comeback to defeat Korea, 20-25, 18-25, 25-17, 2523, 17-15 on Saturday in an FIVB World League pool play match played in Florence, Italy. After losing the first two sets to Korea, which had a 34-18 lead in attacks after the first two sets, the U.S. Men pulled together. The United States fell behind 9-6 in the third set, but took its first lead at 14-13. With the score tied 15-15, the U.S. used a Korean serving error, a block by middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) and an ace from outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) to take an 18-15 lead that it never gave up. The U.S. Men were behind 23-19 in the fourth set when Priddy scored with a block and Millar connected on an attack. Korea called timeout. But Priddy scored the final four points of the set on a block and three kills to give the U.S. the victory. Team USA also looked to be in trouble in the tiebreaker as Korea reached match point at 14-13. Millar tied the score with a block and Holmes served an ace to give the U.S. match point. Korea tied it at 15-15 with a kill, but opposite David McKienzie (Littleton, Colo.) came through with the final two points on an attack and a block.
Ryan Millar (9) and Reid Priddy (8) keep their eyes on the ball. (FIVB photo)
“I’m happy with the way we responded,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (Huntington Beach, Calif.) said. “My thanks to our guys.” The match was the second-straight five-set loss for Korea, which also tested Italy on Friday, 24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 18-16. The U.S. finished the match with a 16-6 lead in blocks. The teams were tied in aces with seven apiece while Korea held the edge in kills, 60-59. The U.S. kill percent was 50.0 while its hitting efficiency was .330. Korea’s kill percent was 52.17 and its hitting efficiency was .313. Korea led in digs, 46-35, but the U.S. led in receptions, 61-51. Priddy led the U.S. Men with 19 points on 15 attacks, two blocks and two aces. Holmes had 16 points on seven kills, a match-high seven blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) added 16 points on 15 attacks and one block.
Dave McKienzie and the team celebrate a great play. (FIVB photo)
McKienzie, who substituted for opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii) in the second set and started the rest of the match, finished with 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks and one ace. Korea’s Yo-Han Kim led all scorers with 20 points on 17 attacks and a matchhigh three aces. Hong-Suk Choi added 19 points on 15 kills and four blocks. U.S. Middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Utah) totaled nine points on six kills and three blocks. Stanley finished with five points on three kills and two aces. Setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) scored one point with a kill while starting setter Donald Suxho (Korce, Albania) had one point on a block.
From left, Donald Suxho, Russell Holmes and Reid Priddy put up a block. (FIVB photo)
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