PARIS — No five-setter this time.
No, the USA males late on Friday night time received the primary two units towards a remarkably scrappy Japan workforce, misplaced the third, however closed it out in 4 to complete 3-0 in Pool C.
It positions the Individuals in addition to they might 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. Successful a set was sufficient to get Japan into the quarterfinals for the primary time since 1992.
“We as soon as once more obtained 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 needed to get into the following spherical,” USA coach John Speraw mentioned.
“We responded within the fourth set fairly effectively, particularly after early on within the fourth set when it was fairly even. I believe there’s loads we are able to 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 modifications and changes, which is what you’re imagined to do in a high-level volleyball match after which we adjusted proper again,” DeFalco mentioned. “Versus Germany, after we didn’t alter for a really very long time. And that’s what I’m most happy with the workforce for. At this degree, each workforce goes to have an adjustment. They’re going to determine what they need to do higher to return again to win and get that power and momentum. We did it proper again to them as quick as we probably might.”
The Individuals opened Olympics play with a sweep of Argentina, however then received the primary two units towards Germany earlier than hanging on to win in 5.
Seemingly ageless reverse Matt Anderson (he’s 37) led with 15 kills and one in every of his workforce’s three aces to go together with 5 of the USA’s 21 serving errors.
“I’m proud of the best way I performed and I’m proud of the best way the workforce performed,” mentioned Anderson, the fourth-time Olympian. “I’m glad that we obtained in that powerful place in that third set and we have been making an attempt to claw out of it and obtained knocked again down. In that fourth set we didn’t let it hassle us. We’re gonna want that. We’re gonna play powerful groups which are going to beat us in units … With 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 workforce effort. Mattie’s been nice, TJ was nice tonight, simply plenty of contributions from everyone,” Speraw mentioned. “Actually a great workforce effort.”
Setter Micah Christenson had three kills, a block, six digs and his workforce hit .511 with 16 of its 52 kills within the fourth set.
The Individuals completely dominated the primary two units, however Japan performed like a workforce 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 mentioned, ‘however the third set they got here out and put some totally different sorts of stress on us. Some new power 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 received a fourth gold medal.
“They have been making some spectacular defensive performs,” Speraw mentioned of Japan. “When these issues occur it’s a must to simply let it go and perceive they’re going to try this and also you’ve obtained to get on to the following level. We did a great job of that.”
DeFalco admitted it’s laborious to play Japan.
“One in all my least favourite issues concerning the sport of volleyball is when it turns into pinball,” DeFalco mentioned. “Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! You may hardly hold 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 will make issues occur.”
As a result of the USA weathered the storm, it sits in a great spot heading into the quarterfinals. The USA shall be seeded within the high three of the ultimate eight.
“We don’t know who we’re going to drag within the quarterfinal, nevertheless it’s an amazing win,” Anderson mentioned. “The subsequent spherical is the start of a brand new event.”
The quarterfinal matchups shall be set after two males’s matches Saturday, Poland vs. Italy and Canada vs. Serbia (Learn extra about that right here).
“Large turnaround from three years in the past,” mentioned 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) informed me that this event has three totally different phases: One is pool play and may you get out of pool. Then the quarterfinal match by itself is part two. Then the entire event resets at this level. It’s a contemporary begin. And the then third part is are you able to get right into a medal match?
“I believe this workforce is aware of that. I felt that and skilled that in Rio (when the USA received bronze) and skilled that the laborious method in Tokyo. So we all know this can be a event however we’re enjoying good volleyball and feeling good about the place we’re at proper now.”
