Roberts and Lorenz finish fourth in Shepparton

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Adam Roberts and Marty Lorenz posted career best finishes at the FIVB World Tour Shepparton 1-Star tournament in Australia.

Roberts and Lorenz, seeded fifth, finished fourth over the weekend. It marks individual career best finishes for both on the FIVB World Tour. Dave McKienzie and Ed Ratledge tied for ninth, marking career best finishes for them as well.

Since the change to a single-elimination bracket, Roberts and Lorenz became the first American team to break out of the opening round of a 1-3 Star FIVB World Tour tournament. Roberts and Lorenz defeated Germany in a come-from-behind three setter to advance to the second round, 22-24, 21-16, 15-11.

In the second round, Roberts and Lorenz topped Japan’s fourth-ranked Katsuhiro Shiratori/Takumi Takahashi, 21-12, 21-16, earning them a spot in their first ever FIVB semifinal. There they faced the eventual tournament winners from Australia, Christopher McHugh/Damien Schumann, falling 21-11, 21-19. For bronze the pair were swept by New Zealand’s Ben O’Dea/Sam O’Dea 21-12, 21-14.

McKienzie and Ratledge, seeded 14th, were eliminated in the first round by Australia’s No.3 Cole Durant/Zachery Schubert, 21-19, 13-21, 15-12.

WEEK IN REVIEW
Shepparton 1-Star
– Adam Roberts/Marty Lorenz finished fourth, individual career best FIVB finish for both; best FIVB finish as a team
– Dave McKienzie/Ed Ratledge tied for ninth, individual career best FIVB finish for both; FIVB debut for McKienzie