USA backups secure a shutout against Iran

Sofia, Bulgaria, September 23, 2018 – Despite playing with backups USA won for the eighth time in a row completing its second perfect round. The Americans managed a 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 26-24) victory over Iran in three tightly contested sets.

Head coach John Speraw fielded a team of backups chosing to rest everyone who was on the court in last night’s demolition of Bulgaria. But it barely made a difference. Americans did not have their usual incredible kill rate in attack but the block was suffocating and serve was lethal. Iran never trailed by more than three points but Set 1 was to USA 25-23.

Second set was an ace competition between Daniel McDonnell and Amir Toukhteh. Each of them got three but the American had the last laugh as his third secured a set point which was converted for a 26-24 success.

Set 3 was also point for point and teams traded lead a dozen times. USA failed to convert two match points but on the third a block by Kawika Shoji completed the shutout.

Benjamin Patch had his best scoring performance of the championship with 17 points. Jake Langlois added 10 for USA. Milad Ebadipour was the only Iranian in double figures finishing with 10.

Source: http://www.fivb.org