COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 9, 2019) – Players from the U.S. Men’s National Team fell to Argentina’s men’s national team, 25-18, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23 in a friendly match on Wednesday night in Moron, Argentina.
The teams will play again tonight and Friday night.
The U.S. Men’s players are using the matches to prepare for the Pan American Cup and FIVB World Championship.
The U.S. Men led Argentina in blocks (8-3), while Argentina led in Kills (54-42) and aces (9-7). Argentina was credited with 72 receptions, 50 percent positive while the United States was credited with 76 receptions, 36 percent positive.
The United States hit .347 behind starting setter Micah Ma’a. Argentina hit .347 behind setter Maximiliano Cavanna.
Outside hitter Brenden Sander started all four sets and led the U.S. Men in scoring with 14 points on 10 kills, two blocks and two aces. Opposite Kyle Ensing, who came in as a substitute in the second set, added 10 points on eight kills and two aces.
Middle blocker Jeff Jendryk had a match-high three blocks to go with four kills and one ace. Middle blocker Mitch Stahl scored eight points on five kills, two blocks and one ace.
Opposite Bruno Lima led Argentina with 16 points on 14 kills, one block and one ace. Outside hitter Facundo Conte and middle blocker Sebastian Sole each scored 11 points.
Argentina jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first set and led 16-12 at the second technical timeout before taking the victory.
Argentina led 11-6 in the second set when U.S. Head Coach Rob Neilson substituted Ensing for starting opposite Carson Clark. With Argentina leading 17-12, Neilson put outside hitter David Wieczorek in for T.J. DeFalco. The U.S. Men pulled to within one at 17-16 on blocks from Jendryk and Sander and a kill and ace from Ensing. Argentina used a 8-2 run to pull away.
The United States led the third set 10-5, including a block and two kills from Sander. It led 16-8 at the second set and went on to win.
The fourth set was tied 6-6 when Argentina go two kills to lead 8-6 and increased the lead to 11-7. The U.S. never recovered, and Argentina went on to win.
U.S. STARTERS VS ARGENTINA
Outside hitters: T.J. DeFalco and Brenden Sander
Middle blockers: Jeff Jendryk and Mitch Stahl
Opposite: Carson Clark
Setter: Micah Ma’a
Libero: Michael Brinkley
Substitutes: David Wieczorek (OH), Kyle Ensing (Opp), Kupono Fey (OH)
U.S. SCORING VS ARGENTINA
Kills: Sander 10, Ensing 8, Wieczorek 7, Stahl 5, DeFalco 4, Jendryk 4, Ma’a 3, Clark 1
Blocks: Jendryk 3, Sander 2, Stahl 2, Ma’a 1
Aces: Sander 2, Ensing 2, Jendryk 1, Stahl 1, Ma’a 1
Digs: Brinkley 20, Ma’a 9, Sander 8, Ensing 8, Wieczorek 7, Jendryk 6, DeFalco 2, Stahl 2, Clark 1