ISLE FILE
U.S. boys sweep past China in world volleyball
Advertiser Staff and News Services
'Iolani senior Brad Lawson had nine kills and Punahou senior Erik Shoji added a team-high five digs to help the U.S. Boys' Youth national team to a 28-26, 25-21, 25-21 victory over China in the FIVB Youth World Championships yesterday at Tijuana, Mexico.
The United States (1-1) closes pool play against Russia (0-2) today. Argentina is 2-0 and China 1-1 in the pool. The top two teams in each of the four pools advance to the top-eight bracket, while the bottom two go into the consolation bracket.
Murphy Troy had a team-leading 13 kills for the United States, which had to rally in each game against China.
Lawson, an outside hitter, added three blocks. Shoji is the team's starting libero.
"It is the first time we played in a world championship and I have a great deal of respect for China as well as for Argentina," U.S. coach Tino Reyes said. "I am very happy with this win and I hope we continue to play this way." Reyes is the University of Hawai'i's men's associate coach.
China held a 44-41 advantage in blocks, but had three more errors than the Americans (21-18).
Tri Bourne, an Academy of the Pacific alum, played in all three games, but did not record any kills.
MORE VOLLEYBALL
STANLEY HELPS U.S. WIN TWO AT AMERICA'S CUP
Hawai'i's Clay Stanley scored 13 points to help the U.S. Men's National Team to a 25-20, 25-14, 25-19 victory over Argentina at the America's Cup tournament in Manaus, Brazil.
The United States clinched first-place in its group and advanced to tomorrow's semifinals. It will play either the Dominican Republic or Cuba.
Reid Priddy scored 18 points for the U.S. with 12 kills, four blocks and two aces. Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawai'i alum, had 10 kills, two blocks and an ace.
Stanley scored 20 points to lead the U.S. Men's National Team past Canada, 25-18, 20-25, 25-16, 25-23, Wednesday. Stanley, connecting with starting setter Lloy Ball, finished with 17 kills, two blocks and one ace.
'IOLANI, SANTA BARBARA CAPTURE KANG POOLS
'Iolani "A" and Santa Barbara won their pools yesterday at the 25th annual Ann Kang Invitiational Volleyball Tournament at 'Iolani School.
The Raiders and Dana Hills finished with 7-1 records in Pool C, but 'Iolani was awarded first on a tiebreaker. Both teams advanced to the championship round.
Santa Barbara finished 8-0 in Pool D. Corona Del Mar (5-3) also advanced to the championship round, which starts today.
WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES
UNITED STATES WILL PLAY FOR VOLLEYBALL BRONZE
The U.S. men's volleyball team, with former Rainbow Alfie Reft at libero, will play for a bronze medal tomorrow.
Team USA was swept by Turkey, 21-25, 26-28, 37-39, in the semifinals yesterday at the 2007 Summer World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
"We made a lot of unforced errors early, and we didn't really play that bad as the game went on, we just could never really get back. We had a chance to win Game 2, and then a number of opportunities in Game 3," said coach Alan Knipe. "Turkey is an experienced team. And it's great experience for our guys who, with the exception of a few, have no international experience at this level. They played against a team with a lot more matches than they have, and Turkey won it last time."
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
MAUI ATHLETE TO PLAY FOR SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
Maui's Beth Arnoult-Ritthaler and Kaitlyn Verfuerth, from California, won semifinals Wednesday and will play in the final today at the Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Men's and women's singles champions will be awarded a wildcard to the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Arnoult, the top seed from Pa'ia, defeated Chile's Maria Mardones Sepulveda, 6-1, 6-0. Verfuerth justified her second seeding as she defeated Columbia's Johana Martinez, 6-1, 6-1.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to be here and represent the United States," Arnoult said. "It's wonderful to see an all-American final, regardless of who wins. We're taking home a gold and a silver. We're teammates on many occasions, so whether Kaitlyn wins or I win, I know it's going to be a great match. Hopefully we can do the gold medal match justice and play good tennis on both sides."
Arnoult-Ritthaler and Verfuerth won doubles gold for the United States yesterday with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Brazil's Samanta Almeida and Rejane Candida.
