U.S. Men Bounce Back in Win Over Canada at 2025 Final Six

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 7, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s National Team got its first win at the NORCECA Final Six after defeating Canada, 3-1 (25-18, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18) on Tuesday in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The U.S. (1-1) will play the Dominican Republic (1-1) at 1 p.m. PT on Wednesday. Select matches will be streamed on the Puerto Rico Volleyball Federation’s YouTube page.

While the U.S. gave up 21 service errors, attacking proved to be the differentiator. The U.S. led Canada in kills (38-20) and attack errors were in favor of the U.S. (16-25). The U.S. also led Canada in blocks (9-6) and aces (14-12).

Middle blocker Justin Todd led all scorers with 17 points on nine kills, five blocks and three aces. Opposite Kainoa Wade had 12 points on eight kills, two blocks and two aces. Setter Nathan Flayter also hit double digit points with 10 on two kills, one block and a match-high seven aces.

Early errors from the U.S. in set one gave Canada a 3-0 lead to start the first set. The U.S. recovered with three straight points of their own with kills from Todd and opposite Jalen Phillips. Followed by the first of many aces from Flayter. The set stayed close until a three-point run gave the U.S. a 14-10 lead. The U.S. went on another three point run later in the set to reach set point 24-16. A kill from Flayter closed it out.

The U.S. never trailed in set two. A 11-point run gave the U.S. a 19-6 lead. An ace from Todd finished the set and gave the U.S. a 2-0 match lead.

The U.S. had a comfortable lead most of set three until Canada put together a three-point run of their own to tie it up 16-16. The set was back and forth until the end when a pair of aces gave Canada the set 25-23.

The fourth set was close until midway through when the U.S. went on a five-point run to take an 18-13 lead. Following a timeout from head coach Karch Kiraly late in the set at 21-18, the U.S. went on another run, this time four straight points to win the match.

Roster

Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, School/Club, USAV Region)
1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-1, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
2 Kainoa Wade (OPP, 6-10, Kailua, Hawaii, Univ. of Hawaii, Aloha Region)
3 Justin Todd (MB, 6-8, Honolulu, Hawaii, Univ. of Hawaii, Aloha Region)
4 Nathan Flayter (S, 6-4, Hales Corner, Wisc., McKendree, Badger)
5 Cam Thorne (MB, 6-4, Hollywood, Fla., UCLA, Florida)
6C Sebastiano Sani (OH, 6-8, Aliso Viejo, Calif., UC San Diego, Chesapeake)
8 Jalen Phillips (OPP, 6-5, Anaheim, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
9 Ryan McElligott (S, 6-6, Mundelein, Ill., Loyola Chicago, Great Lakes)
11 Kellen Larson (L, 5-9, Irvine, Calif., Long Beach State, Southern California/Southern Nevada)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
18 Patrick Rogers (OH, 6-7, Rutherford, N.J., Ball State, Garden Empire)
20 Keoni Thiim (OH, 6-0, Honolulu, Hawaii, BYU, Aloha Region)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, Merrick, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
23 Tre Jordan (MB, 6-10, Mesa, Ariz., Univ. of Hawaii, Arizona)

Coaches
Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Luka Slabe
Assistant Coach: Reid Priddy
Performance Analyst/Team Manager: Nate Ngo
Athletic Trainer: Aaron Ngor

Schedule

All times Pacific
Oct. 6: Mexico def. USA, 3-2, (22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-11)
Oct. 7: USA def. Canada, 3-1 (25-18, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18)
Oct. 8: USA vs. Dominican Republic, 1 p.m.
Oct. 9: USA vs. Suriname, 3 p.m.
Oct. 10: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 6 p.m.
Oct. 11: Semifinals
Oct. 12: Medal and classification matches