COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 1, 2019) – The U.S. Men’s Pan American Cup Team got its first victory on Thursday, 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 over Mexico.
The U.S. Men (1-1) will finish pool play on Friday against Brazil (2-0).
Mexico led the match in kills (43-40), while the U.S. Men led in blocks (8-3) and scored 23 points on Mexico’s errors. The U.S. hitting efficiency behind setter Josh Tuaniga was .486 while Mexico’s was .337.
Outside hitters Brenden Sander (serving in photo) and David Wieczorek each scored 15 points. Sander had two blocks and two aces to go with 11 kills while Wieczorek had one block and two aces and 12 kills. Opposite Kyle Ensing added 11 points, including one block and one kill.
“I think we had a great response,” Wieczorek said. “We came out a little slow against Chile yesterday and I don´t think that´s how we want to play USA volleyball. I am really proud of the guys for how we bounced back and performed at a better game level”.
Middle blocker Brendan Schmidt had a match-high three blocks.
U.S. STARTERS VS MEXICO
Outside hitters: Brenden Sander and David Wieczorek
Middle blockers: Brendan Schmidt and Price Jarman
Opposite: Kyle Ensing
Setter: Josh Tuaniga
Libero: Kupono Fey
U.S. STATISTICS VS MEXICO
Kills: Wieczorek 12, Sander 11, Ensing 9, Jarman 3, Tuaniga 3, Schmidt 2
Blocks: Schmidt 3, Sander 2, Price 1, Ensing 1, Wieczorek 1
Aces: Sander 2, Wieczorek 2, Ensing 1
Digs: Ensing 4, Tuaniga 4, Fey 4, Wieczorek 2, Sander 2, Schmidt 1