COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 28, 2018) – The U.S. Men’s National Team lost its first match of the FIVB World Championship on Friday, falling to Brazil, 25-20, 25-18, 25-19 in Turin, Italy.
Both the U.S. Men (9-1) and Brazil (9-1) had already qualified for Saturday’s semifinals prior to the match and both used their bench players on Friday. Brazil will advance as the first-place team in Pool I while the U.S. Men finished second.
Italy will play Poland at 12:15 p.m. PT today to determine the winner of Pool J.
Brazil led the match in kills (45-24) and aces (9-7) while the U.S. Men led in blocks (7-4). The U.S. also scored 19 points on Brazil’s errors while committing 17.
“I think our team prepared for this match as if it was a semifinal or final match because that’s the style we want to practice,” U.S. opposite Ben Patch said. “I think that’s why it stings, even though we knew we were in the semifinals. I think it’s important for us to get any opportunity to get better.”
The United States’ backups swept Iran in a second-round match. They had some nice moments against Brazil; but could not put together the serving runs it needed to win.
Middle blocker Jeff Jendryk and outside hitter Jake Langlois led the U.S. Men with nine points apiece. Each had six kills, two blocks and one ace. Jendryk’s hitting efficiency was .857.
Middle blocker Taylor Averill added seven points on five kills, one block and one ace. Patch finished with six points on five kills and one block.
Dan McDonnell, a middle blocker playing outside hitter for the second time of the tournament, scored four points on two kills and two aces. Setter Kawika Shoji added three points on two aces and one block.
McDonnell and libero Dustin Watten led in digs with eight apiece. Watten was credited with nine receptions, 67 percent positive. Langlois was credited with 36 receptions, 50 percent positive.
Brazil opposite Evandro Guerra led all scorers with 19 points on 15 kills, three aces and one block.
U.S. STARTERS VS BRAZIL
Outside hitters: Jake Langlois and Dan McDonnell
Middle blockers: Jeff Jendryk and Taylor Averill
Opposite: Ben Patch
Setter: Kawika Shoji
Libero: Dustin Watten
U.S. STATISTICS VS BRAZIL
Kills: Jendryk 6, Langlois 6, Averill 5, Patch 5, McDonnell 2
Blocks: Jendryk 2, Langlois 2, Averill 1, Patch 1
Aces: McDonnell 2, K Shoji 2, Averill 1, Langlois 1, Jendryk 1
Digs: Watten 8, McDonnell 8, Patch 7, Langlois 5, K Shoji 5, Jendryk 2, Averill 2
Third-Round Schedule
(All times PT)
Sept. 26
Brazil def Russia, 20-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-12
Serbia def Italy. 25-15, 25-20, 25-18
Sept. 27
USA def Russia, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23
Poland def Serbia, 28-26. 28-26. 25-22
Sept. 28
Brazil def USA, 25-20, 25-18, 25-19
12:15 p.m. Italy vs Poland
Sept. 29
8 a.m. Semifinal 1
11:30 a.m. Semifinal 2
Sept. 30
8 a.m. Bronze medal match
11:30 a.m. Gold medal match