After falling to 0-3 in the first week, it would be easy for the United States Men’s National Team players to fall into a rut and play a bit more sluggish. However, on Friday, the U.S. Men’s National Team got their first win of the 2017 FIVB World League by taking down Italy in straight sets. Ben Patch was phenomenal for the United States in that match, leading the team in points. Patch noted that it was the team’s attitude and energy that were big reasons for the victory.
Patch, who spent last season at BYU, stands as a 6’8″ opposite who has been the U.S. most consistent attacker so far in World League. He’s been a big contributor to that energy and attitude for the U.S., in addition to his stellar play. He also added 15 points in the win yesterday against Russia. United States head coach John Speraw was impressed with Patch after that second win for USA in what was a three-set sweep:
Speraw and Patch will hope the team continues to play as well as they did in those wins, where they won all six sets. With the match today against France and three more next week, the U.S. have time to keep improving toward The Final Six, but it will be paramount that they earn points during any improvements that Speraw talked about since the margin is thin for the U.S.
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