Sept. 3, 2009

The U.S. Boys' Youth National Team played a good competitive match against six-time world champion Brazil today, but came up short 25-22, 23,23,23-25. This was new territory for their coach Percy and his team as they are not used to playing in the lower pools. As I mentioned, they have won 6 of 10 of these youth world championships and the junior team coached by the same coach just won gold in India at the junior world championship. Brazil has a rich tradition of winning and they have always sported explosive, quick jumpers with lighting quick arms. Our team played even with them in a very entertaining match and except for a net call that was not a net (not my opinion but a fact) because we contacted the lower portion of the net, a questionable under call and a float serve that sailed long but ruled in, we should have gone to game five. But those things happen as we all know and hopefully we can win tomorrow against Poland and meet the boys in green and yellow on Saturday for ninth.

Taylor Sander once again led us in the stats with 14 kills and 4 blocks. Spencer Rowe and Dylan Davis both had 10K and 2b, and Maurice Torres had his most productive match of the tournament with 9K and 2B. "Mo," as he is known, came off the bench and added an energy that up to that point had not been present. Micah Christenson also came off the bench and was very steady. Evan Mottram was his usual; a steady passer and digger. But after starting off hitting over .400, the team steadily headed down as poor passing plagued the team, forced the ball outside and eventually was the difference in the match. Tomorrow we begin a new schedule for us as we will compete in the afternoon and train in the morning. That allowed us to take another training session this afternoon off and watch Poland beat Japan.

Last night, a very quick moving storm blew through Bassano and delivered hail the size of two Euros (quarter) - see Dr. Dyck's photo. Electricity was blown and it made our old hotel that much weirder. We had been discussing its haunted-ness as auras have been seen. When it was pitch black except for dim generator lights, it was a bit scary. Sean Byron pressed a button in one of the rooms and a painting scrolled out of its frame and became a video screen. We haven't noticed if the paintings' eyes are following us though.

Today after the match a member if the FIVB (International Federation of Volleyball) came up to me and paid a great compliment to our USA team. He said we played with great character and always a positive attitude. He wished everyone played the game the way we do, never complaining about tough calls, regrouping after giving up a point and playing with enthusiasm. Andy, Sean and Dan have done a great job with this group - win or lose.

Iran beat Russia today to make it into the semis of the top eight. That means we are still the only team to defeat the defending champions. The four teams in the finals will be Iran, Russia, Argentina and Serbia. They will take a break tomorrow and play Saturday and Sunday. I'm picking Russia.

Until tomorrow,

KP

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