COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 20, 2017) – The U.S. Boys Youth National Team improved to 2-0 at the FIVB Boys Under-19 World Championship on Sunday with a 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22 victory over Puerto Rico.
The United States will look to keep the streak going on Monday against Tunisia (1-2).
The U.S. led Puerto Rico in kills (54-42) and aces (6-3) while the teams tied in blocks (8-8).
Nevertheless, Team Captain Joel Schneidmiller said the team still has room for improvement.
“I think we’re close to our peak, but there’s still a lot we can do,” he said. “We were definitely not near our potential. I know we can still pass the ball better and do everything a lot better.”
Every player saw playing time and 11 of the 12 scored at least one point, including libero Parker Mikesch. Middle blocker Sam Lewis led the United States with eight kills, three blocks and three aces. Opposite Jonny Bowles and outside hitter Schneidmiller each added 13 points.
”I was really pleased with the team’s ability to have guys come in and out,” said Head Coach Sam Shweisky. “We rotated all three middles in. Three left sides played significant roles. Both right sides played significant roles. It was pretty seamless as it was happening.”
Middle blocker Kyler Presho, who played as a substitute, added: “When we wanted to be at our best, we were,” said middle blocker Kyler Presho, who scored one point playing as a substitute. “We took our foot off the pedal at times, but we corrected that pretty quickly.”
U.S. Starters vs. Puerto Rico
Outside hitters: Brandon Browning and Joel Schneidmiller
Middle blockers: Sam Lewis and Daniel Matheney
Opposite: Jaylen Jasper
Setter: Chris Hall
Libero: Parker Mikesch
U.S. Statistics vs. Puerto Rico
Kills: Schneidmiller 11, Jonathan Bowles 11, Lewis 8, Browning 6, Jasper 6, Matheney 5, Jerod Nelson 4, Hall 1, Mikesch 1, Kyler Presho 1
Blocks: Lewis 3, Bowles 2, Schneidmiller 2, Matheney 1, Browning 1
Aces: Lewis 3, Devin Joslyn 2, Matheney 1
Digs: Makesch 10, Hall 7, Browning 4, Schneidmiller 4, Jasper 3, Lewis 2, Nelsen 2, Presho 1, Matheney 1
Pool Matches
Date … Matches
Aug. 19 … USA def Bahrain, 28-26, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23
Aug. 20 … USA def Puerto Rico, 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22
Aug. 21 … USA v. Tunisia
Aug. 22 … USA v. Egypt
2017 U.S. Boys Youth National Team
# — Name (Position, Ht., Hometown, Club, Region)
1 – Jonny Bowles – OP, 6-7, Chandler, Ariz., Aspire Volleyball, Arizona
2 – Brandon Browning – OH, 6-4, Newport Beach, Calif., 949 Volleyball, Southern California
3 – Joel Schneidmiller – OH, 6-6, Saratoga, Calif., Bay to Bay, Northern California
4 – Chris Hall – S, 6-2, Sherman Oaks, Calif., Manhattan Beach Surf, Southern California
5 – Jaylen Jasper – OP, 6-8, Arnold, Md., Annapolis Volleyball, Chesapeake
6 – Chase Johnson – S, 6-6, Moyock, N.C., Coastal Virginia Volleyball, Old Dominion
7 – Devin Joslyn – OH, 6-6, Angola, N.Y., Eden Volleyball, Western Empire
11 – Samuel Lewis – MB, 6-10, Long Beach, Calif., Team Rockstar, Southern California
13 – Daniel Matheney – MB, 6-6, Lawndale, Calif., Team Rockstar, Southern California
15 – Parker Mikesch – L, 5-11, Xenia, Ohio, Vanguard Volleyball, Ohio Valley
17 – Jerod Nelsen – OH, 6-7, Monte Sereno, Calif., Mountain View Volleyball, Northern California
20 – Kyler Presho – MB, 6-8, Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif., 949 Volleyball, Southern California
Head Coach: Sam Shweisky
Associate Head Coach: Brad Keller
Asst. Coach: Theo Edwards
Team Manager: Joel Walton
Doctor: Priscilla Tu
Technical Coordinator: Galen Dodd