The U.S. Men’s National Team continues to dominate the FIVB World Championship with a resounding victory over host Bulgaria. On September 22, 2018, in Sofia, the U.S. team triumphed over Bulgaria with scores of 25-20, 25-20, 25-18. This win secures their place as one of the six teams competing in the World Championship final six, set to take place from September 26-30 in Turin, Italy.
Four years ago, the U.S. Men narrowly missed out on reaching the final round of the World Championship, falling to Argentina in a five-set match. This time, however, they have made it to the final six, a feat that has left U.S. libero Erik Shoji feeling ecstatic. “It feels incredible,” Shoji said. “We can relax now, but we have Iran tomorrow, so we have to get ready again.”
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The U.S. Men’s team is the only undefeated team left in the World Championship, as Russia defeated Italy on the same day. The U.S. will now face Iran, who currently holds a 4-3 record, on Sunday at 7 a.m. PT. The matches are being broadcast live on FloVolleyball.tv, a subscription service favored by the FIVB. As an added bonus, they are offering a 20 percent discount this month.
In their match against Bulgaria, the U.S. Men demonstrated their superiority in several key areas. They outperformed their opponents in kills (42-22), blocks (6-3), and aces (6-5). Although Bulgaria managed to score 28 points through U.S. errors, they also committed 21 errors themselves.
The U.S. Men’s kill percentage, led by setter Micah Christenson, reached an impressive 60 percent, while Bulgaria’s was .324. Shoji attributed their success to their exceptional serving, stating, “We’ve been up and down in this tournament, but tonight was great. We put them out of system a lot and converted a lot of those points.”
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The U.S. team’s dominance was further evident in the individual performances of their players. Outside hitter Aaron Russell led all scorers with 16 points, comprising 15 kills and one ace. Taylor Sander, another outside hitter, contributed 12 points through 10 kills, one block, and one ace. Matt Anderson, playing as the opposite, added 11 points with nine kills, one block, and one ace.
The U.S. Men’s middle blockers, David Smith and Max Holt, also played a crucial role. Smith scored eight points through five kills, two aces (the most on the team), and one block. Holt, on the other hand, had four points, including two blocks and two kills. Christenson finished with three points aided by one kill, one block, and one ace.
In contrast, none of Bulgaria’s players managed to score in double figures. Valentin Bratoev of Bulgaria described the U.S. team as being on another level physically, comparing them to the Monstars from Space Jam. “Physically they are on another level. These guys jump half a meter above us,” he said.
Although their match against Iran will not impact their standing, Shoji emphasized that the U.S. Men will not let up. “Whoever is on the court is going to give 100 percent,” he stated. “That’s just our style. I am confident that whoever is out there, we can win the match.”
It wasn’t until the third set that the U.S. Men faced some challenges. Falling behind 12-10, they managed to turn the tide with a remarkable play. Christenson, after running off the court to make a save, returned just in time to set Russell for a successful back-row attack that tied the score. From there, the U.S. team took the lead and eventually won the set 25-18.
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U.S. STARTERS VS BULGARIA
- Outside hitters: Taylor Sander and Aaron Russell
- Middle blockers: Max Holt and David Smith
- Opposite: Matt Anderson
- Setter: Micah Christenson
- Libero: Erik Shoji
- Substitute: Dan McDonnell (MB)
U.S. STATISTICS VS BULGARIA
- Kills: Russell 15, Sander 10, Anderson 9, Smith 5, Holt 2, Christenson 1
- Blocks: Holt 2, Sander 1, Smith 1, Christenson 1, Anderson 1
- Aces: Smith 2, Anderson 1, Sander 1, Russell 1, Christenson 1
FAQs
Q: How did the U.S. Men’s National Team secure a spot in the final six of the FIVB World Championship?
A: The U.S. Men’s National Team secured their place in the final six by defeating host Bulgaria with impressive scores of 25-20, 25-20, 25-18. This victory solidified their position among the top six teams who will compete in the World Championship final six in Turin, Italy.
Q: Who was the standout player for the U.S. Men’s National Team in their match against Bulgaria?
A: Aaron Russell, an outside hitter for the U.S. Men’s National Team, emerged as the top scorer in the match against Bulgaria. He contributed 16 points through 15 kills and one ace, leading all scorers on both teams.
Q: What challenges did the U.S. Men’s National Team face in their match against Bulgaria?
A: The U.S. Men’s National Team encountered some difficulties in the third set when they fell behind 12-10. However, they quickly turned the tide with a remarkable play by setter Micah Christenson, who made a save before setting up Aaron Russell for a successful back-row attack that tied the score. From there, the U.S. team took the lead and ultimately won the set 25-18.
Summary
The U.S. Men’s National Team has secured their spot in the final six of the FIVB World Championship with a convincing victory over Bulgaria. This win not only marks their dominance in the tournament but also avenges their close miss in the previous World Championship. With an undefeated record, the U.S. team stands out as the strongest contender in the competition.
Led by standout players such as Aaron Russell and Taylor Sander, the U.S. Men’s team displayed exceptional skills in kills, blocks, and aces, leaving Bulgaria trailing far behind. The team’s strong serving greatly contributed to their success, disrupting Bulgaria’s play and converting points for the U.S.
As they prepare to face Iran in their next match, the U.S. Men’s team shows no signs of slowing down. Their relentless commitment to giving their all on the court ensures that they will continue to deliver thrilling performances. Stay tuned for more exhilarating action from the U.S. Men’s National Team in the FIVB World Championship.
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