COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 7, 2019) – The U.S. Men’s National Team got strong performances from veterans and youngsters alike, but couldn’t hold off Italy and fell 25-23, 13-25, 25-20, 25-23 in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League on Friday in Ufa, Russia.
The U.S. Men (1-3) will face host Russia on Saturday at 7 a.m. PT. The match will be shown live on FloVolleyball.tv, a subscription service.
Micah Ma’a made his first start at setter for the U.S. Men (he started at outside hitter last week in Poland) and Kyle Dagostino debuted at libero.
The U.S. had trouble stopping Italian opposite Gabriele Nelli, who led all scorers with 28 points, including three blocks and two aces. Outside hitters Oleg Antonov and Oreste Cavuto each scored 11 points for Italy.
U.S. opposite Ben Patch, making his first 2019 start for the U.S. Men, finished with 24 points on 24 kills.
U.S. outside hitter Garrett Muagututia finished with 13 points on 10 kills and a match-high three aces.
Middle blocker Max Holt, playing his first match of 2019 for the U.S. Men, totaled eight points on four kills, two blocks and two aces.
The U.S. Men led in aces (9-6). The teams were tied in blocks (8-8) and Italy led in kills (54-47). Italy scored
STARTERS FOR THE U.S. MEN VS ITALY
Outside hitters: T.J. DeFalco and Garrett Muagututia
Middle blockers: Max Holt and David Smith
Opposite: Ben Patch
Setter: Micah Ma’a
Liber: Kyle Dagostino
Substitute: Mitch Stahl (MB), Jeff Jendryk (MB)
STATISTICS FOR THE U.S. MEN VS ITALY
Kills: Patch 24, Muagututia 10, Holt 4, DeFalco 3, Ma’a 3, Smith 2, Stahl 1
Blocks: Holt 2, DeFalco 2, Ma’a 2, Smith 2
Aces: Muagututia 3, Holt 2, DeFalco 2, Ma’a 1, Smith 1
U.S. Men’s Schedule (all times PT)
Katowice, Poland
Brazil def USA, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23
Poland def USA, 17-25, 34-32, 26-28, 25-23, 15-9
USA def Australia, 19-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-16
Ufa, Russia
Italy def USA, 25-23, 13-25, 25-20, 25-23
June 8 at 7 a.m.: USA v Russia
June 9 at 4 a.m.: USA v Portugal