COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 16, 2018) – The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team rebounded from its loss to China and beat Rwanda, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 15-17 on Monday at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Venlo, Netherlands.
The U.S. Men (1-1) will have a travel day on Tuesday and conclude pool play against host Netherlands (1-1) on Wednesday in Eindhoven. Netherlands fell to China on Monday, 25-16, 25-10, 25-20.
“The men’s tournament is as competitive as it has ever been,” U.S. Head Coach Greg Walker said. “Out team has responded well and fought hard. We have one of the most athletic teams in the world and our guys are focused with the goal to finish top two in our pool. They will be ready to compete against Netherlands.”
The U.S. Men led Rwanda in kills (45-36), blocks (9-7) and aces (10-7). Setter Eric Duda helped the U.S. to a .446 hitting efficiency. Rwanda hit .250.
U.S. Men’s rookie outside hitter Zach Upp, 18, led the United States on Monday with 18 points on 13 kills, two blocks and three aces.
Setter Eric Duda added 11 points on nine kills and two aces. Opposite James Stuck scored 11 points on seven kills and a match-high four blocks.
Libero Travis Ricks was credited with 23 receptions, 57 percent positive. Middle blocker J Dee Marinko totaled 15 receptions, 80 percent positive.
U.S. STARTERS VS RWANDA
Outside hitters: Zach Upp and Chris Seilkop
Middle blockers: Roderick Green and J Dee Marinko
Setter: Eric Duda
Opposite: James Stuck
Libero: Travis Ricks
Substitute: Charlie Swearingen (OH), John Kremer (L)
U.S. STATISTICS VS RWANDA
Kills: Upp 13, Duda 9, Marinko 8, Stuck 7, Seilkop 3, Green 3, Young 2
Blocks: Stuck 4, Green 2, Upp 2, Seilkop 1
Aces: Upp 3, Seilkop 3, Duda 2, Green 1, Marinko 1
U.S. Men’s Sitting National Team
No. Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
1. Travis Ricks (L, 5-7, San Diego, Calif.)
2. Dan Regan (MB, 6-0, Edmond, Okla.)
3. Nicholas Dadgostar (OH/S/DS, 6-0, Sidney, Neb.)
5. Eric Duda (OH, 6-5, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
8. James Stuck (MB, 6-5, New Kensington, Pa.)
11. Roderick Green (MB, 6-3, West Monroe, La.)
12. Patrick Young (OH, 6-4, Albuquerque, N.M.)
13. Charlie Swearingen (OH, 6-3, Gulfport, Miss.)
14. John Kremer (L, 5-9, Buford, Ga.)
15. Chris Seilkop (OH/MB, 6-6 DeLand, Fla.)
17. Zach Upp (Opp, 6-5, Bartlett, Ill.)
18. J. Dee Marinko (OH, 6-4, Norman, Okla.)
Head Coach: Greg Walker
Assistant Coach: Joe Skinner
Assistant Coach: Kyle Homeyer
Athletic Trainer: Katie King
Team Leader: Dixie Collins
Technical Coordinator: Galen Dodd
Technical Coordinator: David Dantes
U.S. Match Schedule (all times ET)
Venlo, Netherlands
July 15: China def USA, 25-13, 21-25, 25-18, 25-23
July 16: USA def Rwanda, 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 15-17
July 18 at 1 p.m.: USA vs Netherlands
Eindhoven, Netherlands
July 19: Quarterfinals and classification matches
July 21: Semifinals and classification matches
July 22: Medal matches and classification matches