COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 18, 2016) – Hawaiians Erik and Kawika Shoj are adjusting to life in Russia, where they are both playing for Lokomotiv Novosibirsk.
Erik recently did an Twitter interview about life in Russia with WorldofVolley.com. Here are a few of the questions and answers:
What food do you miss the most in Russia? Where can I mail you some Ramen?
“The food I miss the most is Pad Thai! I love Thai food!”
Name your volleyball dream team?
“I just love playing with my teammates from U.S. national team! We are a family and I think that shows when we play matches.”
What is the scariest thing in living in Russia?
“Definitely the driving! I have never driven in so much snow and ice! I’m from Hawaii, help!”
Name one libero that you idolize.
“I look up to Erik Sullivan and Rich Lambourne. The two U.S. liberos before me! Watching them has taught me a lot!”
Read the full interview at WorldofVolley.com.
Lokomotiv Novosibirsk is second in the Russian SuperLeague standings (behind U.S. teammate Matt Anderson and Zenit Kazan) at 7-1 and most recently defeated Ugra-Samotlor Nizhnevartovsk, 25-13, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22 on Nov. 12. At libero, Erik Shoji was credited with 18 receptions, 56 percent positive. At setter, Kawika started the first three sets and substituted in the fourth. He scored two points on one kill and one ace and he helped set his team to a .523 hitting efficiency.
Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) and Kazan remain undefeated at 8-0. On Nov. 12, Kazan defeated Fakel Novy Urengoy, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17. Anderson scored 12 points on eight kills, two blocks and two aces. He was credited with 17 receptions, 47 percent positive.
ITALY
Outside hitter Aaron Russell (Ellicott City, Md.) and Sir Safety Conad Perugia defeated Gi Group Monza, 25-21, 25-20, 25-14 on Nov. 13. Russell scored seven points on six kills and one ace. He was credited with 17 receptions, 65 percent positive.
Setter James Shaw (Woodside, Calif.) and Kioene Padova beat Top Volley Latina, 26-28, 25-18, 19-25, 25-17, 17-15 on Nov. 13. Shaw scored six points on three kills and three blocks. He set his team to a .423 hitting efficiency.
Setter Micah Christenson (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Cucine Lube Civitanova lost their first match of the season to Diatec Trentino, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20. Christenson scored three points on one kill, one block and one ace. He set his team to a .350 hitting efficiency.
Azimut Modena with middle blocker Max Holt (Cincinnati, Ohio) fell to Exprivia Molfetta, 25-27, 25-21, 25-20, 26-24 on Nov. 13. Holt scored nine points on seven kills and two blocks.
POLAND
Outside hitter Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.) and Jastrzębski Węgiel beat Espadon Szczecin, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 25-15 on Nov. 14. Touzinsky started the first three sets and scored one point on one kill. He was credited with 21 receptions, 62 percent positive.
Middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.), libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) and Cerrad Czarni Radom fell to PGE Skra Bełchatów, 25-12, 25-23, 25-18. Smith scored two points on one kill and one block. Watten was credited with 18 receptions, 56 percent positive.
Setter Jonah Seif (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and MKS Będzin fell to Indykpol AZS Olsztyn, 20-25, 25-22, 25-13, 22-25, 15-6. Seif played as a substitute and scored one point on a kill.
GERMANY
SVG Luneburg, including Americans Michael Brinkley, Scott Kevorken, Cody Kessel and Eric Fitterer, beat TV Rottenburg, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 25-15 on Nov. 12. Outside hitter Kessel (Colorado Springs) scored 17 points on 16 kills and one block. He was credited with 19 receptions, 53 percent positive. At middle blocker, Kevorken (Westlake Village, Calif.) scored 11 points on eight kills, two blocks and one ace. Brinkley (Huntington Beach, Calif.) was credited with 26 receptions, 58 percent positive. Fitterer (Edwardsville, Ill.), an opposite, played as a substitute and scored one point on one attack.
CHINA
Outside hitter Taylor Sande (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Beijing defeated Henan, 25-16, 25-23, 25-18 on Nov. 13. Sander scored six points.
Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia (Seaside, Calif.) and Tianjin fell to Shandong, 25-21, 29-27, 25-21 on Nov. 13. Muagututia scored six points, including two aces.
TURKEY
Middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) and Ziraat Bankasi continue to the lead the league with a 25-14, 25-13, 25-16 win over MSK Urfa on Nov. 12. Lee substituted in the second set and started the third, but did not score.
Opposite Will Price (Laytonsville, Md.) and Istanbul BBSK defeated Tokat Belediye, Plevne, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20 on Nov. 12. Price scored 10 points on 10 kills.
GREECE
Outside hitter Greg Petty (Downers Grove, Ill.) and Pamvohaikos fell to Kifissia, 27-25, 25-20, 25-22 on Nov. 13. Petty scored 13 points on 12 kills and one block.