PARIS — No five-setter this time.
No, the USA males late on Friday evening gained the primary two units in opposition to a remarkably scrappy Japan crew, misplaced the third, however closed it out in 4 to complete 3-0 in Pool C.
It positions the People in addition to they may have hoped for — a high three seed — heading into the Paris Olympics males’s volleyball quarterfinals that start Monday.
The USA’s 25-16, 25-18, 18-25, 25-19 victory was not a complete loss for Japan, both. Profitable a set was sufficient to get Japan into the quarterfinals for the primary time since 1992.
“We as soon as once more acquired off to a very nice begin. They wanted to get one set they usually got here out within the third set and performed like they wished to get into the subsequent spherical,” USA coach John Speraw stated.
“We responded within the fourth set fairly nicely, particularly after early on within the fourth set when it was fairly even. I believe there’s lots we will take from that.”
That wasn’t misplaced on USA outdoors TJ DeFalco, who had 13 kills and a block.
“The happiest factor for me is that they have been making adjustments and changes, which is what you’re alleged to do in a high-level volleyball match after which we adjusted proper again,” DeFalco stated. “Versus Germany, after we didn’t alter for a really very long time. And that’s what I’m most pleased with the crew for. At this stage, each crew goes to have an adjustment. They’re going to determine what they must do higher to come back again to win and get that vitality and momentum. We did it proper again to them as quick as we probably might.”
The People opened Olympics play with a sweep of Argentina, however then gained the primary two units in opposition to Germany earlier than hanging on to win in 5.
Seemingly ageless reverse Matt Anderson (he’s 37) led with 15 kills and certainly one of his crew’s three aces to go along with 5 of the USA’s 21 serving errors.
“I’m pleased with the best way I performed and I’m pleased with the best way the crew performed,” stated Anderson, the fourth-time Olympian. “I’m glad that we acquired in that robust place in that third set and we have been attempting to claw out of it and acquired knocked again down. In that fourth set we didn’t let it trouble us. We’re gonna want that. We’re gonna play robust groups which can be going to beat us in units … Having the ability to come again in that fourth set, getting again in system and the best way we performed volleyball, I’m proud and glad.”
DeFalco had 13 kills and a block and the opposite outdoors, Aaron Russell, had 10 kills and two blocks. Center Taylor Averill had seven kills, six blocks — which provides him 11, tied for the Olympics lead — and an ace. The opposite center, Max Holt, had seven kills and an ace.
“Full crew effort. Mattie’s been nice, TJ was nice tonight, simply a whole lot of contributions from everyone,” Speraw stated. “Actually an excellent crew effort.”
Setter Micah Christenson had three kills, a block, six digs and his crew hit .511 with 16 of its 52 kills within the fourth set.
The People completely dominated the primary two units, however Japan performed like a crew possessed within the third, rallying behind high-flying 6-2 left-handed reverse Yuji Nishida, who had 17 kills — six within the third set — and a block.
“We got here out firing the primary two units,” Christenson stated, ‘however the third set they got here out and put some completely different sorts of stress on us. Some new vitality they usually challenged us within the third and early within the fourth.”
The fourth set was tied 15-15 when the USA broke away in a sold-out South Paris Enviornment 1 that included an incredible Japanese contingent. There was additionally a time within the match when it was deafening as a result of the French followers have been watching swimmer Leon Marhcand on their telephones as he gained a fourth gold medal.
“They have been making some spectacular defensive performs,” Speraw stated of Japan. “When these issues occur you must simply let it go and perceive they’re going to do this and also you’ve acquired to get on to the subsequent level. We did an excellent job of that.”
DeFalco admitted it’s onerous to play Japan.
“One in all my least favourite issues in regards to the sport of volleyball is when it turns into pinball,” DeFalco stated. “Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! You possibly can hardly maintain observe, your lungs can’t sustain, your eyes can’t sustain and that what Japan’s motto is. They’re so good at protection they’ll make issues occur.”
As a result of the USA weathered the storm, it sits in a great place heading into the quarterfinals. The USA will probably be seeded within the high three of the ultimate eight.
“We don’t know who we’re going to drag within the quarterfinal, however it’s an incredible win,” Anderson stated. “The subsequent spherical is the start of a brand new event.”
The quarterfinal matchups will probably be set after two males’s matches Saturday, Poland vs. Italy and Canada vs. Serbia (Learn extra about that right here).
“Enormous turnaround from three years in the past,” stated Speraw, alluding to the Tokyo Olympics when the USA swept eventual-champion France to open play after which did not make the quarterfinals.
“It’s a brand new event now. Years in the past, Doug Beal (the previous USA participant, 1984 gold-medal-winning Olympic coach and later USAV CEO) instructed me that this event has three completely different phases: One is pool play and may you get out of pool. Then the quarterfinal match by itself is section two. Then the entire event resets at this level. It’s a recent begin. And the then third section is are you able to get right into a medal match?
“I believe this crew is aware of that. I felt that and skilled that in Rio (when the USA gained bronze) and skilled that the onerous approach in Tokyo. So we all know this can be a event however we’re taking part in good volleyball and feeling good about the place we’re at proper now.”
