Fabricio da silva Pinto sets to Dan Regan
Fabricio da silva Pinto sets to Dan Regan

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 2, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team completed its four-match exhibition series against Japan on Sunday with a pair of 3-0 sweeps at the AVC Dallas Girls 18s National Qualifier in Texas.

Japan trained with the U.S. Men in Edmond, Oklahoma, over the past week before the two teams traveled to Dallas to play Saturday and Sunday. The U.S. is currently ranked No. 8 in the world with Japan at No. 12. The U.S. Men opened the series on Saturday with two wins.

Match No. 1

Outside hitter Zach Upp led the U.S. with 14 points (11 kills, two blocks, one ace) in a 25-13, 25-21, 25-15 victory in the morning match against Japan.  Fabricio da silva Pinto, Dan Regan and Jason Roberts also scored in double figures, collecting 12, 10 and 10 respectively. Pinto and Regan led the team in blocks with three apiece, and Regan led with four aces.

Match Statistics (PDF)

The U.S. led in kills (34-17) and blocks (13-3), but Japan had the edge in aces, 12-11, based on seven from Jun Tazawa. For the U.S., five other athletes picked up points: Sam Suroweic had two kills and a block; Alex Wilson had a kill, a block and an ace; Robbie Gaupp had two kills, John Kremer had two aces; and Brett Parks had a kill and a block. Travis Ricks and Will Curtis again shared duties at libero.

Match No. 2

No statistics were available for the last match, but the U.S. won, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20.