The U.S. Men’s National Team wrapped up the Preliminary Round of the Volleyball Nations League in thrilling fashion, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory (29-27, 22-25, 20-25, 25-13, 17-15) over Argentina on Sunday in Colorado Springs, Colo. This win solidified their third-place standing with a record of 10-2. The team will now head to Anaheim to prepare for the Final Round, scheduled to take place from July 20-24 in Bologna, Italy.
This victory was a sweet redemption for the U.S. Men’s Team, as it dashed Argentina’s hopes of advancing to the Final Round. The win also came almost a year after Argentina eliminated the U.S. Men from the Tokyo Olympic Games by winning their final pool play match.
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One standout player for the U.S. Men’s Team was outside hitter T.J. DeFalco, who put on a remarkable performance, leading all scorers with 28 points, including 25 kills with an impressive .442 hitting efficiency, along with three blocks. Reflecting on the intense five-setter, DeFalco expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We were expecting a good game and a fight from the beginning, but I wasn’t expecting something like that. I’m happy that everyone who’s here witnessed a good fight.”
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In the statistics department, the U.S. Men’s Team outperformed Argentina in blocks (13-7) and aces (3-2), while Argentina held a slight advantage in kills (66-65). Both teams had a closely contested match, with Argentina committing 32 errors and the U.S. committing 30.
One strategic move by U.S. Head Coach John Speraw that paid off was bringing in opposite Kyle Ensing and setter Micah Christenson in sets 4 and 5. This decision injected new energy into the team, ultimately leading to their comeback victory. Speraw praised the team’s collective effort, stating, “We needed to use our bench today. It was a full team effort in the win. To go five after a long week, I was just really proud of the way we fought for the win when we were down.”
Contributing to the team’s success, middle blocker David Smith was the second-highest scorer with 14 points, while middle Mitch Stahl recorded 11 points. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia impressed in his first start of the 2022 VNL season, scoring 10 points and leading the team in successful receptions with 11.
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Other notable contributions came from Ensing, who finished with eight points, and Hanes, who scored seven points. Christenson and Tuaniga teamed up to set the U.S. Men’s Team to an impressive .424 hitting percentage. Libero Kyle Dagostino showcased his defensive skills, leading the team in digs with 10.
The U.S. Men’s Team demonstrated their resilience and determination in this hard-fought victory. With their eyes set on the Final Round, the team will continue to train and prepare for the upcoming challenge. Be sure to follow their journey as they aim for success in the Volleyball Nations League.
FAQs
Q: How did the U.S. Men’s National Team finish in the Volleyball Nations League Preliminary Round?
A: The U.S. Men’s National Team finished the Preliminary Round with a record of 10-2, securing the third-place position in the standings.
Q: Who was the top scorer for the U.S. Men’s Team in their match against Argentina?
A: Outside hitter T.J. DeFalco was the top scorer for the U.S. Men’s Team, recording an impressive 28 points, including 25 kills and three blocks.
Q: What impact did the strategic substitutions have on the U.S. Men’s Team’s performance?
A: Bringing in opposite Kyle Ensing and setter Micah Christenson in sets 4 and 5 provided a much-needed boost for the U.S. Men’s Team, ultimately contributing to their comeback victory.
Summary
The U.S. Men’s National Team wrapped up the Volleyball Nations League Preliminary Round with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Argentina. Led by standout player T.J. DeFalco, who scored an impressive 28 points, the U.S. Men’s Team showcased their determination and fought their way to victory. The team’s strong performance secured their third-place standing in the Preliminary Round, and they will now focus on preparing for the Final Round in Italy. With strategic substitutions and a resilient team effort, the U.S. Men’s Team demonstrated their potential for success in the upcoming stages of the tournament. Follow their journey and cheer them on as they strive to dominate the Volleyball Nations League.
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