U.S. Men's Sitting Team Wins First Two Matches in Japan Friendlies

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 1, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team opened the 2025 season with two victories over Japan during a series of friendly matches 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. The U.S. is currently ranked No. 8 in the world with Japan at No. 12.

Match No. 1

The U.S. Men won the first match 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-11), then the teams played two bonus sets, with the U.S. winning 25-21 and 25-11.

Match No. 1 Statistics (PDF)

Outside hitter Zach Upp led all scorers with 22 points 18 kills, three blocks and an ace. Fellow outside hitter Fabricio da Silva Pinto, who played 10 years with the Brazilian sitting national team and made his U.S. debut last year, scored 19 points with 13 kills, three blocks and three aces. Dan Regan was a force in the middle, scoring 17 on 10 kills, two aces and a match-high five blocks. Outside hitter Jason Roberts, who also made his U.S. national team debut last year,  scored in double figures with 14 points on 12 kills, one block and one ace.

Alex Wilson scored eight points on seven kills and a block, and Sam Suroweic collected five points on three kills and two blocks. Also contributing to the scoring were setter John Kremer with two aces, Robbie Gaupp with an ace and Brett Parks with kill. Will Curtis and Travis Ricks traded sets at libero.

Match No. 2

In the second match, head coach Greg Walker continued to give all his athletes a chance at honing their skills in a tight 3-2 (25-17, 25-19, 24-26, 19-25, 15-10) win.

Match No. 2 Statistics (PDF)

This time, it was Pinto who led the way with a match-high 25 points on 16 kills and an amazing nine blocks. Overall, the U.S. led the match in kills (61-36), blocks (16-8) and aces (13-10).

In the block party for the U.S., Upp collected four to add to his 14 kills and two aces for 20 total points. Roberts had 15 kills and four aces for 19 points. Regan was the only other U.S. athlete in double figures, scoring 10 points on seven kills, one block and two aces. Other scorers were Suroweic with five (three kills, two aces); Wilson (two kills, one block, one ace); Gaupp (two kills, one block); Kremer with two aces; and Brett Parks with two kills.

The U.S. and Japan play two more matches on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Central time. Watch live on USA Volleyball’s Facebook page.