After a two weeks of competition in Japan, the U.S. Men's Volleyball National Team and Bruins John Speraw, Mitch Stahl, Micah Ma'a and Garrett Muagututia finished the 2019 FIVB World Cup with a 9-2 record and the bronze medal.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Men won their final World Cup match, 22-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13 over Egypt in Hiroshima behind big performances from Stahl and Muagututia. Brazil took the gold medal and Poland won the silver by one ranking point over the United States.
Related: OFFICIAL STATISTICS
"We've got more work to do," U.S. opposite Matt Anderson said. "We're good enough to play against the best teams in the world. We know that. But we're not there yet." They were good enough against Egypt, leading in kills (55-35) and blocks (8-7) and dominating from the service line with a 16-2 lead in aces.
The U.S. kill percentage behind starting setter Josh Tuaniga and Micah Christenson, who took over after the first set, was 62.5. Egypt's kill percentage was 46.7. Anderson led all scorers with 17 points on a match-high 14 kills and three aces. Outside hitters Aaron Russell and Garrett Muagututia each finished with 14 points. Russell had 12 kills and two blocks. Muagututia had 10 kills and four aces. Middle blocker Mitch Stahl scored 10 points, including a match-high six aces.
Most players for the U.S. Men will now travel to their overseas professional club teams where they will play for the winter before reconvening next May to begin preparing for the 2020 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. In July, they will return to Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
U.S. STARTERS VS EGYPT
Outside hitters: Aaron Russell and Garrett Muagututia
Middle blockers: Max Holt and Mitch Stahl
Opposite: Matt Anderson
Setter: Josh Tuaniga
Libero: Erik Shoji
Substitutes: Micah Christenson (S), Ben Patch (Opp), Micah Ma'a (SS), Jeff Jendryk, James Shaw
U.S. STATISTICS VS EGYPT
Kills: Anderson 14, Russell 12, Muagututia 10, Jendryk 8, Patch 4, Stahl 3, Holt 3, Shaw 1
Blocks: Christenson 3, Russell 2, Stahl 1, Ma'a 1, Shaw 1
Aces: Stahl 6, Muagututia 4, Anderson 3, Jendryk 1, Holt 1, Tuaniga 1
Digs: Shoji 9, Muagututia 4, Russell 3, Anderson 3, Christenson 2
For roster and standings, visit the World Cup Page
(Courtesy of USA Volleyball)