COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 25, 2017) – China defeated the U.S. Boys Youth National Team today in Bahrain at the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship, 24-26, 25-20, 29-27, 25-20.
The Americans (3-3) will play Puerto Rico (1-5) tomorrow at 6p ET in the 13th-16th place classification.
“I thought we came out with a lot of energy,” said head coach Sam Shweisky. “The bench was really fired up. Guys came out fired up, played a great first set. As China started to make some adjustments in the second set, I think our energy waned a little bit and we got into a tight match.
“Credit to China and what they were able to do.”
Team USA Starters
Libero: Brandon Browning
Setter: Chase Johnson
Middles: Daniel Matheney, Samuel Lewis
Opposite: Jonny Bowles
Outside Hitters: Jerod Nelsen, Joel Schneidmiller
Team USA Stat Leaders
Points: Joel Schneidmiller, 16; Jonny Bowles, 13; Jerod Nelsen, 11; Daniel Matheney, 8
Kills: Joel Schneidmiller, 13; Jonny Bowles, 9; Jerod Nelsen, 8; Daniel Matheney, 6
Blocks: Joel Schneidmiller, 3; Jerod Nelsen, 2, Daniel Matheney, 2
Aces: Jonny Bowles, 3; Samuel Lewis, 2; Jerod Nelsen, 1; Chase Johnson, 1
Outside hitter Joel Schneidmiller scored 16 points with 13 kills on 32 attempts, plus three blocks. The U.S. led the match in kills 44-41 and blocks 9-8. There was definite improvement at the net from the France match; more intensity on the block.
Opposite Jonny Bowles scored 13 with nine kills on 26 attempts, one block and three aces. Middle Daniel Matheney, who started this match, had eight points with six kills in six attempts, plus two blocks.
The U.S. defeated Puerto Rico in pool play on Aug. 20.
“We’ve played Puerto Rico before, but that team is evolving and improving as they go through this tournament as well,” said Shweisky. “We’re going to scout them hard tonight and hopefully put our best foot forward tomorrow.
“If we can serve a little more consistently and aggressively and pass a little more consistently, I think that will make a big, big difference.”
Team USA Matches
Aug. 19 … USA v. Bahrain … W … 28-26, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23
Aug. 20 … USA v. Puerto Rico … W … 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22
Aug. 21 … USA v. Tunisia … W … 28-30, 22-25, 25-19, 26-24, 15-9
Aug. 22 … USA v. Egypt … L … 18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21
Aug. 24 … USA v. France … L … 25-21, 25-13, 25-20
Aug. 25 … USA v. China … L … 24-26, 25-20, 29-27, 25-20
Aug. 26 … USA v. Puerto Rico … 13th-16th classification
The U.S. team earned a silver medal at the 2016 NORCECA Boys Youth Continental Championship in Cuba and finished seventh at the last U19 World Championship in 2015, equally the team’s best finish at Worlds.
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
Team USA Staff
Head Coach: Sam Shweisky
Associate Head Coach: Brad Keller
Asst. Coach: Theo Edwards
Team Manager: Joel Walton
Doctor: Priscilla Tu
Technical Coordinator: Galen Dodd