COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 4, 2016) – Backup libero Dustin Watten stepped into the spotlight for the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 2015 FIVB World League Final Round after Erik Shoji suffered an injury.
Watten helped the U.S. Men win the bronze in the Final Round and was also with the team in Japan when it won the FIVB World Cup and qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Here are five things you might not know about Dustin Watten:
- He is a Southern California product, having played for the OC Riptides club, Wilson High School in Long Beach and then at Long Beach State
- He started out as a setter for his club team and later moved to libero
- He follows a vegan diet
- He has an “AA” rating in beach volleyball
- He has played professionally in Finland, Brazil and France
GERMANY
Libero Erik Shoji, outside hitter Paul Lotman and the Berlin Recycling Volleys won the league championship by sweeping Friedrichshafen, 3-0 in the best-of-five final series. In the final match on May 1, Berlin won 26-24, 25-16, 25-21. Lotman scored 10 points on six kills, one block and three aces. He was credited with 17 receptions, 47 percent positive. Shoji added 13 receptions, 69 percent positive. It is the fourth time since 2010 that Berlin has won the title.
ITALY
Outside hitter Aaron Russell and Sir Safety Conad Pergia lost the first match of their best-of-five league final to host DHL Modena, 25-19, 25-17, 27-25 on May 1. Russell scored seven points on six kills and one ace. He was credited with 14 receptions, 29 percent positive. The series resumes May 5 in Perugia.
FRANCE
vMiddle blocker David Smith and Tours had their season end earlier than hoped when they lost their best-of-three semifinal. In the final match on April 30, visiting Paris beat Tours, 25-20, 25-20, 25-23. Smith scored six points on four kills and two aces.