COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 2, 2017) – The U.S. Men’s Junior National Team completed the FIVB Men’s Under-21 World Championship in 14th place after losing its final match to Japan, 23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20 on Sunday in Ceske Budojovice, Czech Republic.
The Men’s Junior National Team (MJNT) finished the tournament 2-6. Poland won the championship, defeating Cuba in the final.
“It was a fun tournament,” Head Coach Jay Hosack said. “The guys learned what it takes to be successful at the next level. I know the record isn’t what we hoped for or what we thought we could accomplish. But I think the learning curve for us was pretty steep.”
The U.S. MJNT led in blocks (12-5). Japan led in kills (56-40) and aces (6-4). Japan scored 31 points off U.S. errors while committing 27.
Opposite Kyle Ensing led the U.S. in scoring with 15 points on nine kills, four blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Austin Matautia started the third and fourth sets and scored 12 points on 10 kills, one block and one ace. Outside hitter Brett Rosenmeier totaled 10 points on 10 kills.
Middle blocker Scott Stadick also had four blocks for the MJNT.
“Japan is a pretty good team, especially with ball control,” said libero Gage Worsley, who was credited with 13 digs. “(The tournament) was an awakening. It points out your strengths and especially your weaknesses. It was really a learning tournament for me, personally.”
Starters for U.S. MJNT vs Japan
Outside hitters: Brett Rosenmeier and Jordan Ewert
Middle blockers: Scott Stadick and George Huhmann
Setter: Josh Tuaniga
Opposite: Kyle Ensing
Libero: Gage Worsley
Statistics for U.S. MJNT vs Japan
Kills: Rosenmeier 10, Matautia 10, Ensing 9, Stadick 4, Huhmann 3, Tuaniga 3, Ewert 1
Blocks: Ensing 4, Stadick 4, Ma’a 1, Matautia 1, Huhmann 1, Ewert 1
Aces: Ensing 2, Huhmann 1, Matautia 1
Digs: Worsley 13, Ensing 7, Matautia 5, Tuaniga 4, Rosenmeier 4, Stadick 4, Ma’a 2, Ewert 2, Szews 1, Huhmann 1
U.S. Men’s Junior National Team
No – Name (Position, Height, Hometown, College, Region)
2 – Gage Worsley (L, 6-2, Moraga, Calif., signed with Hawaii, NCVA)
3 – Josh Tuaniga (S, 6-2, Long Beach, Calif., Long Beach State, SCVA)
4 – Micah Ma’a (S, 6-4, Kaneohe, Hawaii, UCLA, Aloha)
5 – Dylan Missry (OH, 6-4, Holbrook, N.Y., UCLA, Garden Empire)
7 – Jordan Ewert (OH, 6-5, Antioch, Calif., Stanford, NCVA)
8 – Austin Matautia (OH, 6-5, Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Hawaii, Aloha)
9 – Brett Rosenmeier (OH, 6-6, Virginia Beach, Va., Hawaii, Old Dominion)
14 – Kyle Ensing (Opp, 6-7, Valencia, Calif., Long Beach State, SCVA)
15 – Matthew Szews (Opp, 6-8, Brookfield, Wis., Ball State, Badger)
16 – Patrick Gasman (MB, 6-8, Clovis, Calif., Hawaii, NCVA)
19 – Scott Stadick (MB, 7-0, Watertown, Wis., UC Irvine, Badger)
20 – George Huhmann (MB, 6-10, High Ridge, Mo., Princeton, Gateway)
Head Coach: Jay Hosack (George Mason University)
Assistant Coach: Jonah Carson (Mountain View Volleyball Club) Matt McCarthy (Lewis University)
Team Manager: Jen Armson Dyer
Doctor: David Dyck, Jr.
Technical Coordinator: Galen Dodd
U.S. Schedule for the FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship
(all times PT)
July 2: Japan def. USA, 23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20
July 1: USA def. Morocco, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21
Pool G
June 27: Italy def. USA, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23
June 28: USA def. Czech Republic, 25-23, 24-26, 21-25, 25-18, 15-7
June 29: Egypt def. USA, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19
Pool B
June 23: Turkey def. USA, 25-19, 25-14, 30-28
June 24: Cuba def. USA, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20
June 25: Russia def. USA, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22