USA – France
The United States (2-1) and France (0-3) will play their second match on Saturday.
Matt Anderson, who was named Player of the Match, led all scorers with 22 points on 17 kills, three blocks and two aces. Max Holt and Carson Clark each scored 13 points.
Marien Moreau and Kevin Le Roux each scored eight points for France.
The U.S. led in kills (45-29), in blocks (10-3) and in aces 3-2. France struggled with a kill efficiency of 30 percent while the United States‘ was 54 percent.
With the score tied 4-4, the USA scored on two straight blocks to take the lead. Team USA led 8-5 at the first technical timeout (TTO). After the break and a France kill from Gerald Hardy-Dessources, the U.S. came back with an Anderson kill and Holt block to lead 11-6 and France called timeout. The U.S. kept up the pressure and led 16-12 at the second TTO. With the U.S. leading 17-14, Russell Holmes took the serve on a Holt block and served for five straight points, including an ace, to give the USA the 22-13 advantage. Team USA went on to win 25-15. Holt led all scorers with six points on one kill and five blocks.
The U.S. jumped to a 9-2 lead to open the second set. A kill by Le Roux and two U.S. errors made it 9-5. Team USA led 16-11 at the second TTO. With Team USA leading 18-14, France scored on a service error and two straight aces from Le Roux pulled the European side to within one at 18-17. Anderson responded with a back-row kill. With the U.S. leading 19-18, the US got three straight kills to lead 22-18. With the U.S. leading 23-19, France got three straight strikes from Earvin Ngapeth to pull to within one at 23-22. Team USA reached set point at 24-22, but France scored on two straight attacks to tie the score. With the score tied 27-27, the U.S. scored on a Clark block and Anderson tip to win the set 29-27.
With the European side deflated, The U.S. took a 9-2 lead to open the third set and France never threatened. The United States led 16-10 at the second TTO and eased its way to a 25-16 victory.
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