Wednesday, 4 Dec 2024

USAV Beach narrowly misses in Croatia

POREC, Croatia – The U.S. men’s teams put up a strong fight but narrowly missed advancing past the quarterfinals at the Porec Major, a crucial event leading up to the Olympic Games.

Tough Competition in Croatia

Despite a promising start and a flawless performance in the early rounds, both American men’s teams faced tough opponents in the quarterfinals and were unable to secure a spot in the medal rounds. Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena lost to Canada’s Ben Saxton and Chaim Schalk, while Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson fell to Latvia’s Aleksandrs Samoilovs and Janis Smedins.

After a commanding run in the pool play, Gibb and Patterson faced an uphill battle against Latvia. Despite a strong effort, they were unable to stage a comeback after dropping the first set and eventually lost in two sets.

Dalhausser and Lucena, seeded third in the event, had a strong start with two wins but faltered in the pool play, losing to Mexico. However, their point ratio secured them the top spot in the pool and a direct pass to the second round.

In the second round, Dalhausser and Lucena faced fellow Americans John Hyden and Tri Bourne. In a thrilling three-set match, Dalhausser and Lucena displayed their resilience, clinching victory and securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, their journey ended there, as they were eliminated for only the third time ever in a quarterfinal match.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  7 Tips for a Smooth Return to the Gym

Challenging Week for U.S. Women’s Teams

Only two U.S. women’s teams participated in the FIVB World Tour stop in Croatia. Olympic-qualified duo Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Sweat had a tough draw, facing formidable German, Netherlands, and Brazilian teams in their pool and ultimately finishing tied for 25th with a 0-3 record.

The U.S. qualifier teams, Kelley Larsen and Betsi Metter, as well as Sean Rosenthal and Jeremy Casebeer, were also unable to advance beyond the second round of qualification.

Week in Review

Here’s a recap of the week’s performance at the FIVB Porec Major:

  • Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena tied for fifth, marking their eighth top-five finish in 2016.
  • Jake Gibb and Casey Patterson also tied for fifth, adding to their impressive record of seven top-five finishes in 2016.
  • John Hyden and Tri Bourne tied for ninth, securing their tenth top-ten finish in 2016.
  • Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Sweat tied for fifth, marking their fifth top-five finish this year.

Upcoming Events

Here are the upcoming events for USAV Beach:

  • July 1-3: NORCECA North Bay
  • July 5-10: Gstaad Major
  • July 9: Announcement of Olympic pool placements
  • July 14-16: NVL Columbus
  • July 14-17: AVP Manhattan Beach Open
  • July 15-17: NORCECA Varadero
  • Aug. 5-18: Olympic Games beach volleyball matches
  • Aug. 5-7: NORCECA Boqueron
  • Aug. 11-13: NVL Hermosa Beach
  • Aug. 23-28: Long Beach Grand Slam
  • Aug. 26-28: NVL Virginia Beach

FAQs

Coming soon

Conclusion

While the U.S. teams faced tough competition in Croatia, their performances showcased their determination and skill. Despite falling short of a medal, they continue to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the sport. Stay tuned for more updates on USAV Beach’s upcoming events and their journey towards Olympic glory.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  Alpinetgheep Announces 2017 Girls Youth National Roster

Visit Alpinetgheep for more information about USAV Beach