MNT Update: Shoji and Smith Keep Winning in Poland

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 9, 2023) – A few weeks into the professional club season, the U.S. Men look settled as they continue to have success overseas.

POLAND

Fresh off their 2023 CEV Champions League title, the third consecutive for Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle, libero Erik Shoji and middle blocker David Smith added another trophy to their resume. On November 3, ZAKSA overcame a two-set deficit to beat Jastrzębski Węgiel 3-2 (20-25, 24-26, 31-29, 25-19, 15-12) and won the Polish Super Cup. Smith had five points on five kills. Shoji was credited with 17 receptions. The match was played in front of nearly 10,000 fans. This was the third Polish Super Cup title for ZAKSA.

 

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On November 6, Grupa Azoty ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle lost to Exact Systems Hemarpol Częstochowa 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21). Smith had eight points on four kills, two blocks, and two aces. Shoji was credited with 16 receptions.

On November 4, setter Josh Tuaniga and Indykpol AZS Olsztyn beat PSG Stal Nysa 3-2 (16-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-17, 17-15). Tuaniga led the team to a .467 hitting efficiency and had one kill.

On November 4, KGHM Cuprum Lubin and opposite Jake Hanes lost to Trefl Gdańsk 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 26-24). Hanes had 12 points on eight kills, two blocks, and two aces.

On November 8, outside hitter T.J. DeFalco and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów lost to Jastrzębski Węgiel 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20). DeFalco had 16 points on 11 kills, two blocks, and three aces. He was also credited with 30 receptions.

ITALY

On November 5, Pallavolo Padova with opposite Gabi Garcia Fernandez beat Prisma Taranto Volley with middle blocker Jeff Jendryk and opposite Kyle Russell, 3-2 (25-22, 15-25, 20-25, 25-18, 18-16). Garcia had nine points on six kills and three blocks. Jendryk had 11 points on nine kills and two blocks. Russell had 10 points on seven kills, two blocks, and one ace.

GERMANY

On November 8, SVG Lüneburg and middle blocker Matthew Knigge beat VfB Friedrichshafen 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 31-33, 25-17, 19-17). Knigge had 13 points on nine kills and four blocks.

TÜRKIYE

On November 5, Halkbank and setter Micah Ma’a beat Rams Global Cizre 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 32-30). Ma’a led the team to a .538 hitting efficiency and added five points on two kills and three aces.

On November 8, Halkbank and Ma’a beat Arkas Sports 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22). Ma’a led the team to a .519 hitting efficiency and added two kills.

On November 5, Ziraat Bankasi with opposite Matt Anderson beat Bursa Büyükşehir 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-16). Anderson had 11 points on 10 kills and one ace.

FRANCE

On November 7, St-Nazaire with opposite Kyle Ensing and outside hitter Jordan Ewert beat Paris Volley Avenir 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14). Ensing was named match MVP with 14 points on 13 kills and one block. Ewert had 12 points on 11 kills and one block.

On November 4, Chaumont Volley-Ball 52 with middle blockers Patrick Gasman and Michael Marshman beat Alterna Stade Poitevin 3-1 (11-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21). Gasman had six points on one kill, four blocks, and one ace.

On November 7, Narbonne Volley with libero Kyle Dagostino lost to Montpellier 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 31-29). Dagostino was credited with 15 receptions.

JAPAN

On November 4, the Panasonic Panthers and outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke beat the VC Nagano Tridents 3-0 (30-28, 25-17, 25-14). Jaeschke had 19 points on 11 kills, seven blocks, and one ace.

On November 5, Jaeschke and the Panasonic Panthers once again swept the VC Nagano Tridents 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-20). Jaeschke had 16 points on 15 kills and one block.

 

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On November 4, the JT Thunders Hiroshima and outside hitter Aaron Russell beat the Tokyo Great Bears 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 24-26, 25-20, 15-9). Russell scored 24 points on 18 kills, two blocks, and four aces.

On November 5, Russell and the JT Thunders Hiroshima beat the Tokyo Great Bears again, this time 3-1 (25-17, 27-25, 24-26, 25-23). Russell had 21 points on 20 kills and one ace.

AUSTRIA

On November 4, libero Tim McIntosh and Hypo Tirol beat Union Raiffeisen Waldviertel 3-2 (25-14, 25-18, 21-25, 18-25, 15-12). McIntosh was credited with 36 receptions.

FINLAND

On November 4, Hurrikaani Loimaa with libero Troy Gooch beat Kyky-Betset 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-15). Gooch was credited with nine receptions.

NETHERLANDS

On November 3, Lycurgus Volleyball and outside hitter Kyle McCauley beat Scherp in Packaging 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22). McCauley did not play.

RUSSIA

On November 8, Zenit Kazan and setter Micah Christenson beat Zenith 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15). Christenson led the team to a .381 hitting efficiency and added one block.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

The second round begins on November 10, with Hypo Tirol and libero McIntosh going up against Partizan (Serbia). They will play Guaguas (Spain) on November 11 and Budva (Montenegro) on November 12.

CEV VOLLEYBALL CHALLENGE

On November 21, St-Nazaire with opposite Ensing and outside hitter Ewert will play Deya Volley (Bulgaria) to begin their main phase matches.

CSA Steaua București and outside hitter Brett Wildman advanced through qualification and will begin main phase competition on November 22 against McDonalds Ried im Innkreis (Austria).