Men's Sitting Team Holds off Iraq; Faces Iran Next

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 7, 2022) – After winning the first two sets on Monday, the U.S. Men’s Sitting Team took its foot off the gas before punching its way into the quarterfinals on Monday at the World ParaVolley World Championships in Sarajevo.

The U.S. Men defeated Iraq 3-2 (25-20, 25-21, 16-25, 21-25, 15-9) in the Round of 16 and will play world No. 1-ranked Iran in the quarterfinals at 2 a.m. CT on Tuesday.

“We had ourselves a barn-burner,” U.S. Head Coach Greg Walker said. “It took a while for the fire brigade to come.”

The U.S. Men led Iraq in kills (48-37) and blocks (13-9). Iraq led in aces (7-5) and the U.S. struggled with 19 service errors. In its first three matches, the team only had 23 service errors.

“Iraq did the same thing for five sets and didn’t change very much,” Walker said. “We had to get refocused for the fifth set. But we handled it and gave ourselves the opportunity. That’s all we can ask for.”

Setter John Kremer scored one point with an ace and set the team to a .260 hitting efficiency. Iraq hit .202.

Opposite Eric Duda led all scorers with 17 points on 14 kills and three blocks. He also had 17 receptions: 47 percent positive.

Outside hitter Zach Upp added 15 points on 10 kills, two blocks and a team-high three aces. He had 20 receptions, 50 percent positive.

Middle blocker Roderick Green scored 13 points on 13 kills. Outside hitter James Stuck totaled eight points on four kills, three blocks and one ace.

Middle Chris Seilkop scored six points in three kills and three blocks. Patrick Young played as a substitute and scored six points on three kills and three blocks.

Libero Nicholas Dadgostar led the team in receptions with 25, 60 percent positive.

Iran is the defending Paralympic champion and is led by Morteza Mehrzad, the world’s second-tallest man at 8 feet, 1 inch.

“We’re excited to play them,” Walker said. “It’s not every day you get to play the No. 1 team in the world. We’re excited to get the opportunity.”

Matches are being live streamed on the World ParaVolley YouTube Channel.

U.S. Men’s Sitting Team Roster for the World Championship

No Name (Position, Height, Hometown, Region)
1 Travis Ricks (L, 5-7, San Diego, Calif., Southern California)
2 Dan Regan (OH, 6-0, St. Louis, Gateway)
3 Nicholas Dadgostar (L, 6-0, Sidney, Neb., Chesapeake)
4 Ben Aman (OH, 6-5, Edmond, Okla., Oklahoma)
5 Eric Duda (S/OH, 6-5, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Florida)
8 James Stuck (S/OH, 6-5, New Kensington, Pa., Keystone)
11 Roderick Green (MB, 6-3, West Monroe, La., Bayou)
12 Patrick Young (OH, 6-4, Albuquerque, N.M., Sun Country)
15 Chris Seilkop (OH, 6-6, Deland, Fla., Florida)
17 Zach Upp (OH, 6-5, Bartlett, Ill., Great Lakes)
21 John Kremer (L, 5-9, Buford, Ga., Southern)
49 Sam Surowiec (OH, 6-2, Everett, Wash., Evergreen)

Head Coach: Greg Walker
Assistant Coach: Joe Skinner
Assistant Coach: Kyle Homeyer
Performance Analyst: Justin Chang
Athletic Trainer: Brian Farr
Team Leader: Bobby Moore

U.S. Men’s Schedule for the World Championship
(All Times CT)

Nov. 4 USA def Japan, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-14)
Nov. 5 Bosnia & Herzegovina def USA, 3-1 (25-17, 25-13, 24-26, 25-21)
Nov. 6 USA def Serbia, 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-13)
Nov. 7 Round of 16: USA def Iraq, 3-2 (25-20, 25-21, 16-25, 21-25, 15-9)
Nov. 8 Quarterfinals: USA vs Iran, 2 a.m.
Nov. 9 Semifinals and classification
Nov. 10 Placement matches for 5-15
Nov. 11 Medal matches