COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 14, 2017) – Outside hitter Matt Anderson and Russia’s Zenit Kazan finished pool play undefeated in matches and sets at the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship.
Kazan finished pool play 3-0 and will face Brazil’s Sada Cruzeiro Volei (2-1), the defending champion, in the semifinals on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. ET.
In the other pool, outside hitter Taylor Sander and setter Micah Christenson and Cucine Lube Civitanova finished undefeated at 3-0, but had a set record of 9-2. They will play Poland’s Skra Belchatow (2-1) in Saturdays’ semifinals at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Christenson goes into the semifinals leading all players in aces with eight (.73 per set). He also leads among all setters with 94 running sets and only one fault.
To view more information about the matches, visit the FIVB web site.
Matches are being shown live on the FIVB YouTube Channel.
VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE
Tickets are now on sale to see the U.S. Men play Serbia, Poland and Iran in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League on June 15-17 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
ITALY
Outside hitter Aaron Russell, setter James Shaw and Sir Safety Conad Perugia lead the Italian league standings and defeated libero Erik Shoji and Taiwan Excellence Latina, 41-39, 20-25, 25-15, 25-17 on Dec. 10. Russell finished with 11 points on nine kills and two aces. Shaw played as a substitute. Shoji was credited with 19 receptions, 32 percent positive.
Outside hitter Taylor Sander was named match MVP as Cucine Lube Civitanova defeated Kione Padova on Dec. 9, 25-21, 26-28, 25-21, 24-26, 16-14. Sander finished with 19 points on 16 kills, one block and two aces. He was credited with 35 receptions, 71 percent positive. Setter Micah Christenson scored four points on two kills, one block and one ace. He set his team to a .464 hitting efficiency.
Middle blocker Max Holt and Azimut Modena beat Bunge Ravenna, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18 on Dec. 10. Holt scored five points on three kills, one block and one ace.
Outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke and Calzedonia Verona beat Revivre Milano and middle blocker Taylor Averill, 25-15, 25-22, 25-17 on Dec. 10. Jaeschke scored 13 points on 10 kills and two blocks. Averill started the first set and scored three points on one kill, one block and one ace.
Setter Kawika Shoji, outside hitter Jake Langlois and Gi Group Monza fell to Wixo LPR Piacenza, 25-23, 25-15, 25-18 on Dec. 10. Shoji scored two points on a block and an ace and set his team to a .326 hitting efficiency. Langlois played as a substitute.
Opposite Ben Patch and Tonno Callipo Calabria Vibo Valentia fell to Diatec Trentino, 25-20, 22-25, 27-25, 25-27, 15-12 on Dec. 10. Patch started the first two sets and scored seven points on four kills and three aces.
POLAND
Middle blocker David Smith and Aluron Virtu Warta Zawiercie fell to Espadon Szczecin, 21-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 15-12 on Dec. 10. Smith scored 13 points on a match-high five blocks and seven kills. American outside hitter Jeff Menzel, who plays for Szczecin, started the first two sets and scored seven points on seven kills.
Middle blocker Dan McDonnell and Trefl Gkansk defeated libero Dustin Watten and Cerrad Czarni Radom, 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 25-23 on Dec. 10. McDonnell led his team with 14 points on a match-high six blocks, seven kills and one ace. Watten was credited with 20 receptions, 55 percent positive.
Setter Jonah Seif and MKS Bedzin defeated Jastrzębski Węgiel, 22-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-13 on Dec. 10. Seif started the final three sets and scored three points on one kills, one block and one ace. He helped set the team to a .455 hitting efficiency.
FRANCE
Middle blocker Mitch Stahl and Paris defeated Nantes Reze, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19. Stahl scored nine points on five kills, three blocks and one ace on Dec. 9.
GERMANY
Outside hitter Kyle Russell played as a substitute and scored a point as the Berlin Recycling Volleys beat the Netzhoppers Solwo Konigspark KW, 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 on Dec. 9.