Thomas Jaeschke, Ben Patch Will Start Final 6 Despite Injuries

2017 FIVB WORLD LEAGUE – GROUP 1

• June 2nd-July 8th, 2017
• Schedule
• Teams
• Event Page
• Final 6
• Arena da Baixada, Curitaba, Brazil

The two big question marks for the Americans coming into the final 6 of the 2017 FIVB World League are both in their starting lineup.

Thomas Jaeschke, who battled a shoulder injury and missed all of pool play at the tournament, will start for the Americans at outside hitter. Ben Patch will also start at opposite for the Americans after missing the last match of pool play after aggravating a groin injury.

Patch’s injury is the most concerning for the Americans. He emerged starting in the 2nd match as the team’s offensive leader, and had the 3rd-best hitting percentage of anybody in the opening round. That groin injury, though, cost him most of his final season at BYU, and has been a lingering issue all year long.

For France, the injured middle blocker Kevin Le Roux also got a start – which is crucial to France’s defense.

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