COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 25, 2019) – The U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team has advanced to the knockout round of the FIVB U19 World Championship even after a 25-12, 25-19, 25-12 loss to Russia on Sunday.
The U.S. Boys finished the first round of the World Championship in second place in Pool D with a 2-2 record. They will play Argentina (2-2), the third-place team from Pool C on Tuesday.
Related: OFFICIAL STATISTICS
“It’s exciting to be at this point,” U.S. Coach David Hunt said. “We talked with our team at the beginning of pool play about the whole goal is to be playing our best volleyball toward our crossover match. We have two more days to prep that and the we’ll rock and roll.”
Russia led the U.S. Boys in kills (32-22), blocks (6-0) and aces (10-2).
Outside hitter Clarke Godbold led the U.S. with 10 points on 10 kills. Middle blocker Rico Wardlow added six points on four kills and two aces.
Russia’s Roman Murashko led all scorers with 18 points.
STARTERS FOR THE U.S. BOYS VS RUSSIA
Outside hitters: Clarke Godbold and Joe Deluzio
Middle blockers: Rico Wardlow and Gavin Julien
Opposite: James Hartley
Setter: Kevin Kauling
Libero: Mason Briggs
Substitutes: Joe Karlous (S), Akin Akinwumi (Opp)
STATISTICS FOR THE U.S. BOYS VS RUSSIA
Kills: Godbold 10, Wardlow 6, Hartley 3, Julien 3, Kauling 1, Deluzio 1
Aces: Wardlow 2