MNT Update: U.S. Men Match Up in Champions League

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 30, 2023) – Catching up following Thanksgiving week, several U.S. Men went head-to-head in Champions League play.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

On November 22, Poland’s Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with middle blocker David Smith and libero Erik Shoji beat Olympiacos Piraeus of Greece 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 28-26, 31-29). Smith had 12 points on seven kills, three blocks, and two aces. Shoji had a 43 percent positive reception rate and no errors.

On November 23, Ziraat Bankasi of Türkiye with opposite Matt Anderson beat Belgium’s Knack Roeselare 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 26-24, 26-24). Anderson had 16 points on 12 kills, two blocks, and two aces.

On November 29, Ziraat Bankasi with Anderson beat Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with Smith and Shoji 3-2 (26-24, 25-22, 18-25, 19-25, 15-12). Anderson had 23 points on 21 kills, one block, and one ace. Smith had seven points on six kills and one ace. Shoji had a 55 positive reception rate and no errors.

On November 23, Poland’s Asseco Resovia Rzeszów with outside hitter T.J. DeFalco lost to Tours VB of France 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21). DeFalco had seven points on seven kills.

On November 29, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów with DeFalco beat ACH Volley Ljubljana of Slovenia 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-21). DeFalco had 17 points on 12 kills and five blocks.

On November 22, Türkiye’s Halkbank and setter Micah Ma’a beat Gas Sales Daiko Piacenza of Italy 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 19-25, 25-21).

On November 23, Berlin Recycling Volleys of Germany and Cody Kessel beat Portugal’s Sport Lisboa e Benfica 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-21). Kessel did not play.

On November 29, Halkbank and Ma’a beat Berlin Recycling Volleys and Kessel 3-2 (19-25, 25-21, 19-25, 29-27, 15-10). Ma’a had one kill and one ace. Kessel did not play.

On November 22, Germany’s SVG Lüneburg and middle blocker Matthew Knigge beat Jihostroj Ceske of the Czech Republic 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-15). Knigge had seven points on five kills, one block, and one ace.

On November 29, , SVG Lüneburg and Knigge beat Spain’s Guaguas Las Palmas 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20). Knigge had eight points on four kills, three blocks, and one ace.

CEV CUP

On November 22, Austria’s Hypo Tirol and libero Tim McIntosh beat Fenerbahçe of Türkiye 3-2 (25-23, 15-25, 25-20, 23-25, 21-19). McIntosh had a 46 percent positive reception rate.

On November 29, Hypo Tirol and McIntosh lost to Fenerbahçe 3-1 (32-34, 28-26, 25-19, 25-19). McIntosh had a 50 percent positive reception rate.

On November 22, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 of France with middle blockers Patrick Gasman and Michael Marshman lost to Nantes Rezé Métropole of France 3-1 (15-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21). Gasman had two points on one kill and one ace. Marshman had nine points on six kills and three blocks.

On November 29, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with Gasman and Marshman lost to Nantes Rezé Métropole 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 16-25, 25-19, 15-10). Gasman had two points on two kills. Marshman had seven points on five kills, one block, and one ace.

On November 23, Lycurgus Volleyball of the Netherlands and outside hitter Kyle McCauley lost to Ukraine’s SC Prometey 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 26-16). McCauley had 17 points on 16 kills and one ace.

On November 29, Lycurgus Volleyball and McCauley lost to SC Prometey 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 26-24). McCauley had eight points on eight kills.

CEV CHALLENGE CUP

On November 21, St-Nazaire of France with opposite Kyle Ensing and outside hitter Jordan Ewert beat Bulgaria’s Deya Volley Burgas 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21). Ensing had 19 points on 16 kills, two blocks, and one ace.

On November 28, St-Nazaire with Ensing and Ewert beat Deya Volley Burgas 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-16). Ewert had eight points on eight kills. Ensing had four points on four kills.

On November 22, Romania’s CSA Steaua Bucuresti and outside hitter Brett Wildman beat McDonalds Ried Im Innkreis of Austria 3-1 (25-18, 25-13, 19-25, 25-16). Wildman did not play.

On November 28, CSA Steaua Bucuresti and Wildman beat McDonalds Ried Im Innkreis 3-3 (21-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-9). Wildman did not play.

On November 29, Poland’s Projekt Warszawa and middle blocker Taylor Averill beat Calcit Kamnik of Slovenia 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-19). Averill had four points on two kill and two blocks in his first action with the team since he joined midseason. Check out his Instagram post featuring highlights from his first training with his new club.

 

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ITALY

On November 15, Pallavolo Padova with opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez lost to Valsa Group Modena 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 27-25, 25-11). Garcia had five points on three kills and two aces.

On November 18, Pallavolo Padova with opposite Garcia beat Verona Volley with outside hitter Francesco Sani 3-1 (25-17, 13-25, 25-20, 25-23). Garcia had 20 points on 16 kills and four aces. Sani had one kill.

On November 22, Pallavolo Padova (3-5) with opposite Garcia lost to Sir Susa Vim Perugia 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-21). Garcia had four kills on three kills and one block.

On November 15, Prisma Taranto Volley with middle blocker Jeff Jendryk and opposite Kyle Russell lost to Sir Susa Vim Perugia 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 20-25, 25-13). Jendryk had five points on four kills and one block. Russell had 13 points on 11 kills and two aces.

On November 19, Prisma Taranto Volley with Jendryk and Russell lost to Cisterna Volley 3-2 (27-25, 25-20, 18-25, 13-25, 17-15). Jendryk had five points on three kills and two blocks. Russell had three points on three kills.

On November 26, Prisma Taranto Volley (0-7) with Jendryk and Russell lost to Cucine Lube Civitanova 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 18-16). Jendryk had five points on five kills. Russell had 21 points on 19 kills and two blocks.

On November 26, Verona Volley (2-5) with Sani lost to Sir Susa Vim Perugia 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-22). Sani had three points on two kills and one ace.

POLAND

On November 18, DeFalco and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów beat Indykpol AZS Olsztyn with setter Josh Tuaniga 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-20). DeFalco had 12 points on five kills, two blocks, and five aces. Tuaniga led the team to a .375 hitting efficiency and added one kill.

On November 26, Asseco Resovia Rzeszów (6-2) and DeFalco beat Exact Systems Hemarpol Częstochowa 3-1 (25-18, 30-32, 25-18, 25-19). DeFalco had 17 points on 14 kills, two blocks, and one ace.

On November 27, Indykpol AZS Olsztyn (4-3) with Tuaniga beat GKS Katowice 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-16). Tuaniga led the team to a .533 hitting efficiency and added one block.

On November 19, Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle with Shoji and middle blocker Smith beat Enea Czarni Radom 3-0 (28-26, 25-21, 25-20). Smith came in as a serving sub. Shoji was credited with four digs and 14 receptions.

On November 25, Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle (5-3) with Shoji and Smith lost to Barkom Każany Lviv 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15). Smith had 11 points on eight points, one block, and two aces. Shoji was credited with 12 digs and 14 receptions.

On November 20, KGHM Cuprum Lubin and opposite Jake Hanes lost to Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-21). Hanes had eight points on six kills and two aces.

On November 25, KGHM Cuprum Lubin (2-6) and Hanes lost to Jastrzębski Węgiel 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17). Hanes had one kill.

GERMANY

On November 25, SVG Lüneburg (5-1) and Knigge beat ASV Dachau 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-11). Knigge had 10 points on four kills, two blocks, and three aces.

On November 26, Berlin Recycling Volleys (6-0) and Kessel beat Haching Munich 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-18). Kessel had 11 points on eight kills and three blocks.

TÜRKIYE

On November 19, Halkbank and Ma’a beat Bigadiç Bld 3-0 (25-20, 29-27, 25-13). Ma’a led the team to a .508 hitting efficiency and added one block.

On November 26, Halkbank (9-0) and Ma’a beat Bursa Metropolitan 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-21). Ma’a led the team to a .456 and added two aces.

On November 19, Ziraat Bankasi with Anderson beat Foot Pools 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-21). Anderson had 17 points on 14 kills and three aces.

On November 26, Ziraat Bankasi (7-2) with Anderson beat Türşad 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-21). Anderson had 16 points on 13 kills and three aces.

FRANCE

On November 18, St-Nazaire with Ensing and Ewert beat Montpellier 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16). Ensing had eight points on seven kills and one ace. Ewert had 15 points on 12 kills, one block, and two aces.

On November 18, Narbonne Volley and libero Kyle Dagostino lost to Plessis-Robinson 3-1 (16-25, 25-18, 30-28, 25-10). Dagostino was credited with 15 receptions.

On November 25, St-Nazaire (5-3) with Ensing and Ewert beat Narbonne Volley (0-8) and Dagostino 3-0 (25-13, 25-22, 25-19). Ensing had three points on two kills and one ace. Ewert had eight points on eight kills. Dagostino was credited with 19 receptions.

On November 18, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with Gasman and Marshman beat Saint-Jean d’Illac 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21). Marshman had eight points on five kills and three blocks. Gasman did not play.

On November 25, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 (7-1) with Gasman and Marshman beat Plessis-Robinson 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-23). Gasman had four points on three kills and one block. Marshman had 12 points on nine kills, two blocks, and one ace.

JAPAN

On November 18, the JT Thunders Hiroshima and outside hitter Aaron Russell lost to Toray Rose 3-1 (25-20, 26-28, 25-21, 25-17). Russell had 19 points on 15 kills, three blocks, and one ace.

On November 19, the JT Thunders Hiroshima and Russell bounced back and beat Toray Rose 3-1 (17-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22). Russell had a monster game with 30 points on 26 kills, three blocks, and one ace.

On November 25, the JT Thunders Hiroshima and Russell beat the VC Nagano Tridents 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-23). Russell had 16 points on 15 kills and one ace.

On November 26, the JT Thunders Hiroshima (10-2) and Russell overcame a two-set deficit to beat the VC Nagano Tridents 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-15, 25-21, 15-10). Russell had 27 points on 23 kills, two blocks, and two aces.

On November 18, the Panasonic Panthers and outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke lost to the Wolfdogs Nagoya 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-23). Jaeschke had 11 points on eights kill, two blocks, and one ace.

On November 19, the Panasonic Panthers and Jaeschke evened the weekend series and beat the Wolfdogs Nagoya 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-21, 25-23). Jaeschke had a big game with 28 points on 21 kills, four blocks, and three aces.

On November 25, the Panasonic Panthers and Jaeschke beat the Nippon Steel Sakai Blazers 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-21). Jaeschke had 14 points on 12 kills, one block, and one ace.

On November 26, the Panasonic Panthers (9-1) and Jaeschke beat the Nippon Steel Sakai Blazers 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-22). Jaeschke had 14 points on 14 kills.

AUSTRIA

On November 18, Hypo Tirol and McIntosh beat VBK Wörther-See-Löwen Klagenfurt 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-22). McIntosh was credited with 44 receptions.

On November 25, Hypo Tirol (7-0) and McIntosh beat TSV Raiffeisen Hartberg 3-2 (25-11, 25-22, 19-25, 22-25, 15-10). McIntosh was credited with 14 receptions.

FINLAND

On November 22, Hurrikaani Loimaa with libero Troy Gooch beat Tuto Volley 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-23). Gooch was credited with 17 receptions.

On November 24, Hurrikaani Loimaa (7-2) with Gooch beat Akaa Volley 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-20). Gooch was credited with 9 receptions.

RUSSIA

On November 18, Zenit Kazan and setter Micah Christenson beat Dynamo Lo 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 28-26). Christenson led the team to a .326 hitting efficiency and added one block and one ace.

On November 22, Zenit Kazan and Christenson beat Torch Novy Urengoy 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-19). Christenson led the team to a .618 hitting efficiency.

On November 29, Zenit Kazan (6-2) and Christenson beat ASK Nizhny Novgorod 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-16). Christenson led the team to a .535 hitting efficiency and added one kill.

ROMANIA

On November 18, CSA Steaua Bucuresti and Wildman beat CSU Universitatea de Vest Timisoara 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-15). Wildman had six points on six kills.

On November 25, CSA Steaua Bucuresti (5-2) and Wildman beat CSM Constanta 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-21). Wildman did not play.

NETHERLANDS

On November 19, Lycurgus Volleyball and McCauley beat Papendal 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-13). McCauley had seven points on seven kills.

On November 25, Lycurgus Volleyball (7-2) and McCauley beat Prima Donna Kaas Huizen 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-18). McCauley had five points on four kills and one block.