STANFORD, Calif. – The U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team, led by Stanford associate head coach Ken Shibuya and incoming freshman Jordan Ewert, took down China 25-21, 25-23, 25-15 on Sunday to take seventh place overall at the 2015 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship in Argentina.
The U.S. finished seventh out of 20 teams, which marks the first time the BYNT has ever placed in the top half of competition. Seventh place is tied for the highest finish the BYNT has ever had at the World Championship, however the previous seventh place was out of just 12 teams in 1995.
The United States’ serving was a big factor in the teams’ success on Sunday. The team recorded 11 aces to China’s one, with setter Micah Ma’a leading the way. Ma’a notched five aces to go with two kills for seven total points. Ma’a led all players at the tournament with 32 aces over seven matches.
Outside hitter Reese Devilbiss had a breakout performance for the BYNT, recording 12 kills and one ace for 13 points. Opposite Kyle Ensing put up eight total points for the U.S. with six kills and two aces.
Middle blockers George Huhmann and Scott Stadick each had six points, five of which being kills. Stadick ended the tournament as the No. 1 blocker, averaging 1.03 blocks per set with 32.
The U.S. BYNT made a statement in its match against China. The team won in straight sets, without ever losing the lead in set one or three. China upped its play in the second set, taking the lead at 9-8. The U.S. tied the game at 17-all, and eventually claimed the set.
Tournament Statistics (Top 10)
Best Scorer
1. Miguel Angel Lopez Castro (CUB) – 140 points
24. Jordan Ewert (USA) – 86 points
Best Spiker
1. Gianluca Galassi (ITA) – 79 kills, 12 errors, 131 attempts (60.31%)
9. TJ DeFalco (USA) – 65 kills, 28 errors, 140 attempts (46.43%)
10. Kyle Ensing (USA) – 64 kills, 22 errors, 138 attempts (46.38%)
Best Blocker
1. Scott Stadick (USA) – 32 blocks, 1.03 per set
Best Server
1. Bartosz Kwolek (POL) – 27 aces, 1.08 per set
2. Micah Ma’a (USA) – 32 aces, 1.03 per set
9. TJ DeFalco (USA) – 13 aces, .42 per set
Best Setter
1. Florian Malisse (BEL) – 211 running sets, 7.54 per set
11. Micah Ma’a (USA) – 178 running sets, 5.74 per set
Best Digger
1. Julian Zenger (GER) – 90 digs on 227 attempts, 3.33 per set
7. Joe Worsley (USA) – 69 digs on 189 attempts, 2.23 per set
Best Receiver
1. Paolo Zonca (ITA) – 101 excellents on 172 attempts, 56.40 efficiency
11. TJ DeFalco (USA) – 66 excellents on 162 attempts, 36.42 efficiency
2015 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship Results
Pool A
8/14 – U.S. def. Turkey, 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-13
8/15 – U.S. def. Belgium, 25-20, 17-25, 25-18, 21-25, 19-17
8/17 – U.S. def. France, 26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16
8/18 – U.S. def. Argentina, 25-20, 26-24, 25-23
Round of 16
8/19 – U.S. def. Mexico, 25-18, 25-16, 25-22
Quarterfinals
8/21 – Russia def. U.S., 25-22, 25-20, 25-23
Classification 5-8
8/22 – Brazil def. U.S., 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 15-25, 15-10
Classification 7-8
8/23 – U.S. def. China, 25-21, 25-23, 25-15
Courtesy of USA Volleyball
