U.S. Men Defeat Dominican Republic for Second Win at 2025 Final Six

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 8, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s National Team got their second win in a row at the NORCECA Final Six after defeating the Dominican Republic, 3-1 (22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20) on Wednesday in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

The U.S. (2-1) will play Suriname (0-2) at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday. Select matches will be streamed on the Puerto Rico Volleyball Federation’s YouTube page.

The U.S. led the Dominican Republic across the board in kills (60-40), blocks (9-5) and aces (8-4). Errors were in favor of the U.S. as well (25-36).

Opposite Kainoa Wade dominated with a match-high 21 points on 16 kills, one block and four aces. Next up was outside hitter Sebastiano Sani with 16 points on 14 kills and two blocks. Outside hitter Patrick Rogers also hit double digits with 13 points on 12 kills and one block. Middle blocker Justin Todd had two aces to go with his six kills. Setter Ryan McElligott led all U.S. players with three blocks. Libero Ryan Merk was credited with 11 digs.

The U.S. fell behind early in set one after a couple missed serves, but was able to recover and tie it up 5-5 after a long rally ended with a kill from Wade. The U.S. took the lead at 8-7 on a kill from Sani, but it was short lived and the Dominican Republic went on to run away with the first set.

The second set stayed close early, but the U.S. gained a 5-3 lead after a pair of aces from Wade. The Dominican Republic recovered midway through the set and took a 15-12 lead. The Dominican Republic held the lead until an ace from Todd tied the set at 21-21. A pair of kills from Sani pushed the lead for the U.S. to 23-21. The set went into extra points but was ultimately decided after a block from McElligott evened the match at 1-1.

The U.S. used the momentum to dominate set three thanks in large part to their serving game, recording three aces to the Dominican Republic’s zero.

More of the same from the U.S. in set four, who gained the lead early in the set and never looked back. Sani and Rogers led the way in the fourth set with four points on four kills each. Middle blocker Tre Jordan also had four points on three kills and one block.

Roster

Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, School/Club, USAV Region)
1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-1, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
2 Kainoa Wade (OPP, 6-10, Kailua, Hawaii, Univ. of Hawaii, Aloha Region)
3 Justin Todd (MB, 6-8, Honolulu, Hawaii, Univ. of Hawaii, Aloha Region)
4 Nathan Flayter (S, 6-4, Hales Corner, Wisc., McKendree, Badger)
5 Cam Thorne (MB, 6-4, Hollywood, Fla., UCLA, Florida)
6C Sebastiano Sani (OH, 6-8, Aliso Viejo, Calif., UC San Diego, Chesapeake)
8 Jalen Phillips (OPP, 6-5, Anaheim, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
9 Ryan McElligott (S, 6-6, Mundelein, Ill., Loyola Chicago, Great Lakes)
11 Kellen Larson (L, 5-9, Irvine, Calif., Long Beach State, Southern California/Southern Nevada)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
18 Patrick Rogers (OH, 6-7, Rutherford, N.J., Ball State, Garden Empire)
20 Keoni Thiim (OH, 6-0, Honolulu, Hawaii, BYU, Aloha Region)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, Merrick, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
23 Tre Jordan (MB, 6-10, Mesa, Ariz., Univ. of Hawaii, Arizona)

Coaches
Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Luka Slabe
Assistant Coach: Reid Priddy
Performance Analyst/Team Manager: Nate Ngo
Athletic Trainer: Aaron Ngor

Schedule

All times Pacific
Oct. 6: Mexico def. USA, 3-2, (22-25, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-11)
Oct. 7: USA def. Canada, 3-1 (25-18, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18)
Oct. 8: USA def. Dominican Republic, 3-1 (22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20)
Oct. 9: USA vs. Suriname, 3 p.m.
Oct. 10: USA vs. Puerto Rico, 6 p.m.
Oct. 11: Semifinals
Oct. 12: Medal and classification matches