COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 5, 2019) – After surviving flight cancellations and delays and lost luggage, the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team deserved a couple rest and recovery days.
Nope. The team played the first match on the first day of competition at the Under 21 Pan American Cup in Lima, Peru. The United States’ valiant effort wasn’t enough as it fell to Puerto Rico, 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-20 on Sunday.
The U.S. will play Dominican Republic on Monday at 4 p.m. PT. The matches are being streamed on FloVolleyball.tv, a subscription service.
The top placing team that has not already qualified will qualify for the FIVB Men’s Under-21 World Championship on July 18-27 in Bahrein. Canada and Cuba have qualified.
Unofficially, opposite Brett Wildman led the U.S. MJNT with 18 points on 15 kills and three aces. Outside hitter Ryan Wilcox added 16 points on 13 kills, two blocks and one ace.
Outside hitter Kevin Lamp scored six points on three kills and three aces. Outside hitter Devin Joslyn scored three points on two kills and one block.
Middle blocker J.T. Martin had one kill and three blocks. Middle Daniel Matheney added one kills, four blocks and an ace.
Setter Taylor Ittner had a kill and a block. Libero Garland Peed had 14 digs as did Wilcox.
The U.S. led Puerto Rico in kills (43-39) and blocks (11-9). Puerto Rico led in aces (9-8).
“I think in the first two sets we didn’t have much energy going out,” Team Captain Joslyn said. “In the third set we rolled around and got a couple big blocks. Everyone was getting into it. We had a lot more fun.
“I’m just starting to play with these kids. Having a connection and energy between us will really help later on.”
In the first two sets, the U.S. Men’s Junior Team came back from deficits of 20-22 and 20-24 respectively, before Puerto Rico eventually came back to win.
“It’s a good lesson for us,” Head Coach Spencer McLachlin said. “We need to learn how to play a complete set. I think we were winning at about 15 or 16 points. It’s a good lesson about how to close out the set and finish strong and carry the momentum through and not just start well. As the guys play together more we will improve in that aspect.”
U.S. Men’s Junior National Team for the U21 Pan American Cup
No. Name (Position, Height, Hometown, College)
1 Kevin Kauling (S, 6-8, Naperville, Ill., committed to Lewis)
3 Garland Peed (L, 6-2, San Diego, Calif., UCLA)
4 Ryan Wilcox (OH, 6-2, Honolulu, Hawaii, UCSB)
8 Taylor Ittner (S, 6-4, Meadow Vista, Calif., CSUN)
9 Kevin Lamp (OH, 6-5, Lake Forest, Ill., committed to Stanford)
13 Brett Wildman (OH, 6-5, Virginia Beach, Va., Penn State)
14 Luke Denton (Opp, 6-6, Mesa, Ariz., Loyola Chicago)
15C Devin Joslyn (OH, 6-6, Angola, N.Y., Loyola Chicago)
17 Canyon Tuman (MB, 6-6, Sewickley, Pa., Penn State)
19 Daniel Matheney (MB, 6-7, Hawthorne, Calif., UCLA)
20 J.T. Martin (MB, 6-8, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Pepperdine)
21 Michael Sack (MB, 6-8, Burbank, Ill., committed to Lewis)
Head Coach: Spencer McLachlin (UCLA)
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman (USAV HP)
Second Assistant: Benjamin Duckworth (Lindenwood)
Team Manager: Paula Schwan
Statistician: Alex Hurlburt (Northwestern)
Physiotherapist: Tiara Rolle
Men’s U21 Pan American Cup
Schedule (All times CT)
Pool Play
May 5
Puerto Rico def USA, 27-25, 27-25, 21-25, 25-20
4 p.m. Canada v Chile
6 p.m. Cuba v Dominican Republic
8 p.m. Peru v Colombia
May 6
2 p.m. Colombia v Canada
4 p.m. Puerto Rico v Cuba
6 p.m. Dominican Republic v USA
8 p.m. Peru v Chile
May 7
2 p.m. Chile v Colombia
4 p.m. Puerto Rico v Dominican Republic
6 p.m. Cuba v USA
8 p.m. Peru v Canada
May 8
4 p.m. Quarterfinals
6 p.m. Quarterfinals
May 9
2 p.m. Classification 5-8
4 p.m. Classification 5-8
6 p.m. Semifinal
8 p.m. Semifinal
May 10
2 p.m. Classification 7-8
4 p.m. Classification 5-6
6 p.m. Bronze medal
8 p.m. Gold medal