COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 13, 2019) – Two days after going five sets with Canada, the U.S. Men made quick work of Australia, winning 25-14, 25-13, 25-16 on Sunday at the FIVB World Cup in Hiroshima, Japan.
The U.S. Men (7-2) will rest up to face Russia (4-5) at 8 p.m. PT on Sunday. In Japan, the match will be 11 a.m. on Monday. The U.S. will finish the World Cup on Monday at 8 p.m. PT against Egypt.
Related: OFFICIAL STATISTICS
If the U.S. Men hope to medal, they must win their final two matches as Japan is right behind them in the rankings. But it has been a long tournament for all the teams.
“It’s like day 75 here in Japan,” U.S. middle blocker Max Holt joked. “We’re trying to push strong here and finish this thing on a good note.”
The U.S. led Australia in kills (36-26), blocks (12-3) and aces (9-0). It scored 18 points on Australia’s errors while committing 14.
The U.S. kill percentage was 54.5 behind starting setter Micah Christenson and substitute Josh Tuaniga who took over in the third set. Australia’s kill percentage was 34.2.
Holt said the U.S. did not take Australia lightly despite its 1-7 World Cup record heading into the match.
“Australia does some very unique things,” said Holt, who had a match-high four blocks. “Both of their opposites are lefties who are really tough to stop. I think we got on them early with our service pressure and we didn’t let up the whole match.”
Opposite Matt Anderson led all scorers with 13 points on nine kills, three blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Garrett Muagututia added 12 points on 10 kills and two aces. Outside hitter Aaron Russell totaled 10 points on eight kills and two blocks.
U.S. STARTERS VS AUSTRALIA
Outside hitters: Aaron Russell and Garrett Muagututia
Middle blockers: Max Holt and David Smith
Opposite: Matt Anderson
Setter: Micah Christenson
Libero: Erik Shoji
Substitutes: Mitch Stahl (MB), Josh Tuaniga (S), Jeff Jendryk (MB), Michael Saeta (SS)
U.S. STATISTICS VS AUSTRALIA
Kills: Muagututia 10, Anderson 9, Russell 8, Jendryk 2, Holt 2, Smith 2, Stahl 1, Christenson 1, Tuaniga 1
Blocks: Holt 4, Anderson 3, Russell 2, Jendryk 2, Stahl 1
Aces: Muagututia 2, Jendryk 2, Christenson 2, Anderson 1, Stahl 1, Smith 1
Digs: Muagututia 7, Shoji 6, Russell 5, Christenson 5, Anderson 4