Clayton Stanley scored 25 points in the game with Iran to be named most impressive player of that match
The victory improved the U.S. win/loss record to 3-3 in the tournament, while Iran slipped to 4-2 with the defeat. Clayton Stanley notched a match-high 25 points for the winners, including 5 aces and 7 blocks. Matthew Anderson added 14. Stanley was named the most impressive player of the match. Mehdi Bazargarde was the top scorer for Iran with 10 points.
An Iran side that enjoyed good success in the first two rounds of the tournament looked flat from the outset this day, lacking the energy that helped produce victories over Serbia, Japan, Argentina and Poland.
First set
A spike by Matthew Anderson gave the U.S. a 7-6 lead in the opening set and the Americans were in front 8-6 at the first TTO. Clayton Stanley’s block move the U.S. ahead 10-6. Zarini‘s spike made it 11-8. William Priddy‘s dink put the U.S. up 13-10. Another Stanley spike made it 14-10. The U.S. led 16-10 at the second TTO. Trailing 19-13, Iran called a timeout but the U.S. rolled and took the set 25-15. Priddy had seven points in the set, while Clayton Stanley added six.
Second set
Stanley’s spike made it 6-3 for the U.S. in the second set. The U.S. led 8-6 at the first TTO. Stanley’s spike made it 11-9. Nazari‘s spike pulled Iran within 13-12. Stanley soared again for a spike to take the U.S. into the second TTO on top 16-14. Evan Patak‘s serve sailed long and Iran was within a point at 17-16. Anderson’s spike made it 20-17. Iran equalized at 20-20 as David’s Lee spike sailed long. Bazargarde served into the net after the timeout and the U.S. took back the lead. Iran called a timeout with the U.S. in front 24-23. Nazari’s service ace tied it 24-24. Stanley put the U.S. up 25-24 with a spike, but Priddy served long and the score was knotted again 25-25. Anderson sent a soft spike into an unguarded area for 26-25 and Bazargarde sailed a spike long to give the U.S. the set 27-25. Clayton racked up 11 points in the set, while Anderson chipped in with seven.
Third set
Anderson’s spike put the U.S. in front 8-4 at the first TTO. A Bazargarde spike pulled Iran within 9-5, but Mousavi then sailed a serve long. The U.S. looked firmly in control the set at 15-5, but Iran scored five straight points. Stanley’s spike saw the U.S. with a 16-10 advantage at the second TTO. The American then stormed on to take the match 25-14.
