U.S. Men's U21 Falls to Argentina in World Championship Opener

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 7, 2023) – The U.S., Men’s U21 National Team dropped its opening 2023 World Championship match to Argentina, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-23) on Friday in Manama, Bahrain.

The U.S. next faces Belgium on July 8 at 10 a.m. PT.

Outside hitter Trent Moser led the U.S. with team-highs of 10 points, seven kills, and three blocks. Outside hitter Zach Roma shared the team lead with seven kills. Middle blockers Owen Rose (six kills) and Marc Smith (four kills) each recorded a .500 hitting efficiency percentage.

Captain and setter Andrew Rowan scored four points on three kills and a service ace, adding six digs. Libero Ryan Merk finished with seven digs and seven successful receptions. Outside hitters Dillon Klein and Alex Rottman each contributed three points.

Opposite Germán Gómez, who plays professional for Montpellier Volley in France’s top league, posted a match-high 14 kills for Argentina.

U.S. Men’s U21 Roster for the 2023 FIVB World Championship
No. Name (Position, Height, Birth year, Hometown, College, USAV Region)
1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-0, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
5 Dillon Klein (OH, 6-4, 2003, Pacific Palisades, Calif., Univ. of Southern California, Southern California)
6 Island Doty (S, 6-5, 2003, Colorado Springs, Colo., Long Beach State, Rocky Mountain)
12 Andrew Rowan (S, 6-7, 2003, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
13 Shane Wetzel (Opp, 6-7, 2004, Wekiwa Springs, Fla., Ohio State, Florida)
16 Nyherowo Omene (MB, 6-8, 2003, South Holland, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, 2003, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
20 Zach Rama (OH, 6-8, 2004, Phoenix, Ariz., UCLA, Arizona)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, 2003, Long Island, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
21 Wesley Smith (MB, 6-11, 2004, Encinitas, Calif., Univ. of Southern California, Southern California)
23 Alex Rottman (OH, 6-7, 2004, Santa Barbara, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
25 Theo Snoey (OH, 6-8, 2004, Berkeley, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)

Head Coach: Andy Read (Long Beach State)
Assistant Coach: Chris Seiffert (Concordia-Irvine)
Assistant Coach: Rory Prager (Univ. of Southern California)
Performance Analyst: Alex Hurlburt
Team Doctor: Dr. Chris Cornell
Team Lead: Donovan Martinez (USAV NTDP)

U.S. Men’s U21 Schedule for the 2023 FIVB World Championship
Live stream on VolleyballWorld.tv
(All times PT)
July 7 Argentina def. USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-23)
July 8 at 10 a.m. USA vs Belgium
July 9 at 10 a.m. USA vs Czechia
July 11-13 Second round of pool play
July 15 Semifinals and consolation playoffs
July 16 Finals and consolation matches