Sept. 2, 2009

The Boys' Youth National team qualified for the semifinals of the 9-16 bracket with a 3-0 win over Egypt today. Scores were 25-21, 16 and 18. Playing with more resolve and consistency, USA was led again by Taylor Sander with 16 Kills followed by Jeremy Dejno (11), Josh Taylor (7K), Spencer Rowe (6K) and Dylan Davis (3K). Connor Olbright again started and once again served tough, blocked well and spread the ball evenly to his hitters.

All twelve on the roster saw time as Tanner Clayton, Nick Gibson and even Evan Mottram recorded their first kills. Well, Evan dug a ball and the ball dropped untouched on Egypt's side for match point.

With the win we go 2-0 in the secondary pool and face Brazil (2-0) tomorrow at 10. The winner will place 1st in the pool and play the 2nd place team in the other pool in Bassano.  Poland looks like they will finish 1st but it is tight action. The loser will place 2nd and play the 1st place team in the other pool. On Saturday the winners in those matches will play for the 9-10 spot.

We took the afternoon off and did not practice today. All our matches so far have been morning matches so we have had training in the afternoon after our match. I don't think I have ever seen that. Usually, matches are in the PM with training in the morning. These boys have been going strong for three weeks now and needed a little break before the showdown with Brazil tomorrow.

One thing I have noticed on this trip to Italy is the size of everything - small: automobiles, streets, hotel rooms and, most of all, showers. I'm not a big guy (5-foot-10) but I have a serious problem washing my feet in these showers. I don't have a tape measure, but I'm guessing 26 inches by 26 inches. It is tough enough washing your hair without bumping into the portable shower head hose or soap holder and it takes a yoga master to make it down to your feet with a washcloth. I imagine it is quite a hazard for our 6-7 middles. I just can't get into using the foot baths; but maybe after I have pulled my hamstrings or bumped my head enough I'll give it a try - nah!

Our guest blogger tonight is Connor Olbright. Connor will be a senior at El Modena High School in Orange, Calif. Connor has been with this team since last summer's NORCECA qualification tournament. He is a setter and won the 17-and-under USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championship with Balboa Bay and was named the division's MVP.

The trip in Italy has been one of the most fun and interesting trips I have taken all of my life. Italy is a great country and I can't ask for much more than to play overseas here and pass the time with all my buddies that are on the team. We lost some of our steam yesterday in our match against Algeria; but once we got refocused and took a little time off, we played very well and beat Egypt. The win today will give us some momentum for our match with Brazil tomorrow and we will be in good shape to win our pool and place as low as possible. 

The other day we toured the city of Bassano del Grappo and had much fun getting gelato and doing many other activities in the city. Jesolo was much different than Bassano and all of the guys wished we were still there so we could contend for the gold medal. The team this year is very fun. It took a lot of work to make the team last year, but it was even more competitive to make the team this year. The team was selected well and everyone brings something to the team effort that we bring to every match with us.

I'm excited with the opportunity that was given to me to play here and will keep working hard in order to try and keep getting more opportunities like this one. It has been a long trip and it will be nice to go home; but I wouldn't ever trade this experience for any other.

That's it for tonight.

Until tomorrow,

KP

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