Men's U21 Ends First Round of Pool Play at World Championship with Loss to Czechia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 9, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s U21 National Team fell to Czechia, 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22), on Sunday to conclude first round pool play at the 2023 U21 World Championship on Saturday in Manama, Bahrain.

The U.S. (0-3 in pool play) will have a day off before beginning the second round of pool play on Tuesday at 7 a.m. PT against Egypt (1-2).

The loss spoiled a tremendous effort by outside hitter Zach Roma, who led all scorers with 20 points and 18 kills, while also leading the U.S. with 12 digs. Outside hitter Dillon Klein finished with 13 points on 10 kills, one block, and two service aces.

Middle blockers Owen Rose and Nyherowo Omene each recorded six kills and two blocks. Rose added two service aces. Rose and Omene each scored five points in the second set when the U.S., despite losing seven of the first eight points, took the set 25-23.

Outside hitter Theo Snoey contributed seven points on four kills, two blocks, and an ace. Libero Ryan Merk registered nine successful receptions and Roma finished with five.

With the match tied at one set apiece, the U.S. jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the third set and led by as many as six points. Czechia, trailing 17-12, went on a 7-1 run to take the lead and eventually took the 2-1 set advantage. Roma scored nine points, including seven kills, in the set.

The U.S. overcame six early service errors (that accounted for six of Czechia’s first eight points) to take a 17-14 lead in the fourth set, but they were unable to hold on.

Jakub Pelikan of the VK Ostrava Club led Czechia with 16 points and 11 kills.

The teams will meet again in the second match of the second round of pool play.

U.S. Men’s U21 Roster for the 2023 FIVB World Championship
No. Name (Position, Height, Birth year, Hometown, College, USAV Region)
1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-0, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
5 Dillon Klein (OH, 6-4, 2003, Pacific Palisades, Calif., Univ. of Southern California, Southern California)
6 Island Doty (S, 6-5, 2003, Colorado Springs, Colo., Long Beach State, Rocky Mountain)
12 Andrew Rowan (S, 6-7, 2003, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
13 Shane Wetzel (Opp, 6-7, 2004, Wekiwa Springs, Fla., Ohio State, Florida)
16 Nyherowo Omene (MB, 6-8, 2003, South Holland, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, 2003, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
20 Zach Rama (OH, 6-8, 2004, Phoenix, Ariz., UCLA, Arizona)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, 2003, Long Island, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
21 Wesley Smith (MB, 6-11, 2004, Encinitas, Calif., Univ. of Southern California, Southern California)
23 Alex Rottman (OH, 6-7, 2004, Santa Barbara, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
25 Theo Snoey (OH, 6-8, 2004, Berkeley, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)

Head Coach: Andy Read (Long Beach State)
Assistant Coach: Chris Seiffert (Concordia-Irvine)
Assistant Coach: Rory Prager (Univ. of Southern California)
Performance Analyst: Alex Hurlburt
Team Doctor: Dr. Chris Cornell
Team Lead: Donovan Martinez (USAV NTDP)

U.S. Men’s U21 Schedule for the 2023 FIVB World Championship
Live stream on VolleyballWorld.tv
(All times PT)
July 7 Argentina def. USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-23)
July 8 Belgium def. USA, 3-1 (25-23, 16-25, 25-22, 25-20)
July 9 Czechia def. USA, 3-1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22)
July 11 at 4 a.m. PT vs. Egypt
July 12 at 4 a.m. PT vs. Czechia
July 13 at 1 a.m. PT vs. Mexico
July 15 Semifinals and consolation playoffs
July 16 Finals and consolation matches