FIVB U21 Championships
- June 23-July 2, 2017
- Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Schedule/Results
Pool G
Italy 3, USA 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-23)
Egypt 3, Czech Republic 0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-22)
The United States dropped its fourth straight match, falling to Italy via sweep, while Egypt garnered its first win of the tournament, topping the Czech Republic 3-0.
Italy 3, USA 0
The United States managed more kills and blocks than its Italian foes, but wound up on the short end of a sweep due to 12 Italian blocks and 24 of its own errors.
The Americans tallied 38 kills and added eight blocks and six aces, but were doomed by the eight point margin in errors.
After dropping the first two sets, the Americans rallied from a six-point deficit in the third to even the score at 22-all, but could not complete the comeback.
“It was not a very good match from our side at all,” USA coach Jay Hosack said. “Heads up to team Italy, they played like they want to be here. I am not very happy with the performance of my guys.”
Gabrielle Di Martino led Italy with 11 points, including seven kills, and hit at an 88 percent efficiency in the match, while also adding four blocks. Paolo Zonca followed with 10 points, all on kills. Giulio Pinali added nine points, including three blocks.
“I am happy with the first two sets but disappointed with the third,” Italian coach Michele Totire said. “The first two sets were great, they used their focus. But they lost that in the third so we have to work on that.”
Brett Rosenmeier paced the Americans with 11 points, registering nine kills, a block and an ace. Kyle Ensing and George Huhmann added 10 points apiece. Ensing managed eight kills and two aces, while Huhmann chipped in six kills, two blocks and two aces.
Egypt 3, Czech Republic 0
The home crowd could not save the Czech Republic team from its 25 miscues in a three-set loss to Egypt. The eight-point deficit in miscues combined with Egypt’s 9-4 lead in blocks and 2-0 lead in aces was too much to overcome. The Czechs did win the offensive battle with 43 kills to 39.
“Finally, we won,” Egyptian coach Maged Mohamed said. “I want to thank my team and assistants because we played so well today, they prepared the team in top level. And now, we are finally on our way.”
Egypt rallied to take Set 1 and used a strong serve to grab a 25-23 Set 2 win. The Egyptians again came back in Set 3, tying the score at 10-all and carrying on to a 25-22 win.
Omar Aly (13), Abdelrahman Seoudy (12) and Mohamed Aly (10) led the way for Egypt, each scoring in double figures. Omar Aly downed 12 kills, while Seoudy added eight kills and four blocks. Mohamed Aly chipped in nine kills and a block.
“For me, it is the worst match in my career,” Czech captain Kristian Cervinka said. ”I feel very bad for the fans and my coach. I am very angry with myself and my team. Next time we have to perform better and start new.”
Cervinka played in just the first set, committing two service errors. Leading the team in his stead was Lukas Vasina, who managed 12 points, all on kills. Marek Sulc followed with nine points, including eight kills and a block.
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