Coach Speraw's U.S. National Team Unbeaten at Worlds
September 24, 2018 | Men's Volleyball
Already having surpassed their performance from the 2014 World Championship, in which they failed to make the final round and finished seventh, Coach John Speraw's U.S. men volleyball team enters the Final Six as the only undefeated team, joining Brazil, Poland, Italy, Serbia, and Russia in Torino, Italy, with competition resuming on September 26.
On Sunday, the United States wrapped up second-round pool play by sweeping Iran, 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 in a FIVB World Championship match held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The U.S. Men improved to 8-0 and are the only team still undefeated at the World Championship.
"I was really pleased with how we competed, even though we had already qualified for the finals," U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said. "Dan McDonnell played great at outside for the first time since high school. I loved being able to run the double quick." McDonnell lit it up from the service line, finishing with a team-high three aces to add to three kills and one block. Opposite Ben Patch led all scorers with 17 points on a match-high 13 kills and a match-high four blocks.
Overall, Iran led the U.S. Men in kills (35-34) while the U.S. led in blocks (12-4). The teams were even in aces (5-5) and in scoring errors (28-28). The U.S. kill percentage was 52.3 behind setter Kawika Shoji. Outside hitter Jake Langlois scored 10 points on eight kills, one block and one ace. Middle blocker Jeff Jendryk added nine points on six kills, two blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Taylor Averill totaled six points on four kills and two blocks.
"I've always felt that in terms of skill set, ball control, precision Iran is one of the top teams in the world," Speraw said. "We played a lot in the last five years and I feel that always we have a really good battles. Today's was surprisingly easy ... I'm very pleased with the guys for the way they competed."
On Sunday, the United States wrapped up second-round pool play by sweeping Iran, 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 in a FIVB World Championship match held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The U.S. Men improved to 8-0 and are the only team still undefeated at the World Championship.
"I was really pleased with how we competed, even though we had already qualified for the finals," U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said. "Dan McDonnell played great at outside for the first time since high school. I loved being able to run the double quick." McDonnell lit it up from the service line, finishing with a team-high three aces to add to three kills and one block. Opposite Ben Patch led all scorers with 17 points on a match-high 13 kills and a match-high four blocks.
Overall, Iran led the U.S. Men in kills (35-34) while the U.S. led in blocks (12-4). The teams were even in aces (5-5) and in scoring errors (28-28). The U.S. kill percentage was 52.3 behind setter Kawika Shoji. Outside hitter Jake Langlois scored 10 points on eight kills, one block and one ace. Middle blocker Jeff Jendryk added nine points on six kills, two blocks and one ace. Middle blocker Taylor Averill totaled six points on four kills and two blocks.
"I've always felt that in terms of skill set, ball control, precision Iran is one of the top teams in the world," Speraw said. "We played a lot in the last five years and I feel that always we have a really good battles. Today's was surprisingly easy ... I'm very pleased with the guys for the way they competed."