MNT Update: Anderson Helps Ziraat Win Third Consecutive Turkish Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 3, 2023) – Trophies, match MVPs, and comeback wins were the theme this past week for the U.S. Men competing overseas with their professional clubs.

TÜRKIYE

On November 1, Ziraat Bankasi with opposite Matt Anderson, won its third consecutive AXA Sigorta Champions Cup. They beat Halkbank with setter Micah Ma’a 3-1 (22-25, 31-29, 25-19, 25-23). Anderson had 18 points on 14 kills and four blocks. Ma’a led the team to a .530 hitting efficiency and added one kill and one ace.

On October 25, Anderson and Ziraat Bankasi beat Rams Global Cizre 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-21, 25-11). Anderson had 18 points on 14 kills, three blocks, and one ace.

On October 29, Ziraat Bankasi and Anderson swept Kuşgöz İzmir Vinç Akkuş (25-20, 25-19, 25-19). Anderson had 10 points on 10 kills.

On October 29, Halkbank and setter Micah Ma’a beat Türşad 3-1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-19, 25-16). Ma’a had two blocks, one ace, and led the team to a .610 hitting efficiency.

POLAND

On October 24, outside hitter T.J. DeFalco and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów beat Ślepsk Malow Suwałki 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-21). DeFalco was named match MVP leading all scorers with 22 points on 15 kills, three blocks, and four aces. He was also credited with three digs.

On October 29, DeFalco had another great performance with Asseco Resovia Rzeszów in their comeback win 3-2 (19-25, 19-25, 34-32, 25-18, 15-10) over Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie. DeFalco had 23 points on 21 kills, one block, and one ace.

On October 24, Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with libero Erik Shoji and middle blocker David Smith overcame a two set deficit to beat PSG Stal Nysa 3-2 (22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 24-22). Shoji was credited with 13 digs and 28 receptions. Smith had 10 points on six kills, three blocks, and one ace.

On October 24, setter Josh Tuaniga and Indykpol AZS Olsztyn fell to Jastrzębski Węgiel 3-1 (25-27, 25-20, 25-17, 25-12). Tuaniga led the team to a .460 hitting efficiency and had one kill.

On October 28, Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with Shoji and Smith swept Indykpol AZS Olsztyn and Tuaniga (25-19, 25-21, 26-24). Shoji was credited with six digs and 13 receptions. Smith had one points on one block.

On October 24, KGHM Cuprum Lubin and opposite Jake Hanes won the first two sets, but ultimately fell to PGE GiEK Skra Bełchatów 3-2 (23-25, 25-27, 29-27, 25-16, 15-10). Hanes had 18 points on 14 kills and four aces.

On October 29, Hanes and Lubin and lost another five set battle, this time against BOGDANKA LUK Lublin 3-2 (14-25, 25-23, 25-21, 17-25, 15-11). Hanes had 24 points on 19 kills, three blocks, and two aces.

FRANCE

On October 28, St-Nazaire with opposite Kyle Ensing and outside hitter Jordan Ewert beat Nice 3-1 (23-25, 29-27, 25-18, 25-18). Ewert was named match MVB for an outstanding performance where he put up 27 points on 16 kills, three blocks, and eight aces.

 

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On October 28, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with middle blockers Patrick Gasman and Michael Marshman beat Narbonne Volley and libero Kyle Dagostino 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-9). Marshman had eight points on five kills, one block, and two aces. Gasman had four points on two kills, one block, one ace. Dagostino was credited with seven receptions.

JAPAN

On October 28, the JT Thunders Hiroshima and outside hitter Aaron Russell beat the JTEKT STINGS 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-16). Russell had 23 points on 20 kills, two blocks, and one ace.

On October 29, Russell and the JT Thunders Hiroshima played a second match against JTEKT STINGS, this time sweeping 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-18). Russell had 17 points on 14 kills and three blocks.

On October 28, the Panasonic Panthers and outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke beat Toray Rose 3-1 (25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 25-22). Jaeschke had 23 points on 20 kills, one block, two aces.

On October 29, Jaeschke and the Panasonic Panthers beat Toray Rose again 3-1 (25-13, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22). Jaeschke had another great performance with 22 points on 20 kills, one block, and one ace.

ITALY

On October 28, Prisma Taranto Volley with middle blocker Jeff Jendryk and opposite Kyle Russell lost to Itas Trentino 3-2 (25-16, 23-25, 18-25, 26-24, 15-8). Russell had a phenomenal performance with 28 points on 25 kills and three aces. Jendryk has eight points on seven kills and one block.

On October 29, opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez and Pallavolo Padova fell to Cucine Lube Civitanova 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-21). Garcia had 14 points on 11 kills and three aces.

GERMANY

On November 1, SVG Lüneburg and middle blocker Matthew Knigge lost to Herrsching 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-22). Knigge had six points on five kills and one block.

NETHERLANDS

On October 28, Lycurgus Volleyball and outside hitter Kyle McCauley lost to Sliedrecht Sport 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20).  McCauley had eight points on seven kills and one block.

RUSSIA

On October 28, Zenit Kazan and setter Micah Christenson won the Russian Super Cup after they beat Dynamo 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-17). Statistics were not available.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Round one finished up last week with libero Tim McIntosh and Hypo Tirol advanced to the second round with a 2-1 record. Hypo Tirol will play Partizan to kick off round two on November 10. McIntosh had an incredible dig that nearly touched the ceiling, see video captured on his Instagram below.

 

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CEV CUP

The qualification round is complete. Narbonne Volley and libero Kyle Dagostino failed to advance after they lost both their matches against NANTES Rezé Métropole 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-16) and 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23). Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with middle blockers Patrick Gasman and Michael Marshman will go up against NANTES Rezé Métropole when the Main Phase begins on November 22.

CEV VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE

CSA Steaua București and outside hitter Brett Wildman are 2-0 in the qualification round after they beat VC Lorentzweiler twice 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23) and 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-20). Wildman saw action in the second meeting and scored four points on three kills and one ace.