NOGALES, Mexico, June 12, 2024. – United States dominated Suriname 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-15) on Wednesday in the U21 Men’s NORCECA Continental Championship being played in Nogales, Mexico.
The U.S. with an undefeated record (2-0) in pool A, will conclude the preliminary round against Mexico on Thursday. Suriname (0-2) will play against Nicaragua. The first-place team in the group advances directly to the semifinals.
United States outclassed Suriname in less than an hour (55 minutes), with advantages in attacks (38-16), blocks (7-1), and serves (7-1). Suriname committed one less error than the United States (23-24).
Victor Loiola from the United States was the top scorer of the match with 14 points (12 attacks, two blocks). Opposite hitter Finn Kearny scored 9 points, including a match-high of 3 aces. Outside hitter Sean Kelly also scored 9 points.
Opposite hitter Mesón Anakaba was Suriname’s best scorer with 10 attacking points.
The U.S. quickly jumped to significant leads in all three sets, maintaining their dominance until the end.
Victor Loiola, top scorer of United States said: “We were working on our teamwork and just how we can bring energy as a team together and dominate the tournament. Today a few more guys got more playing time. Compared to yesterday we were a little bit more connected, got rid of the jetlag and as a group we were all connected. Tomorrow against the home team, we faced Argentina at Worlds and we learned how to play with the environment against us, we’ll take the “boos” as cheers”.
Mesón Anakaba, top scorer of Suriname expressed: “We came into this game knowing that they are stronger than us, so we just focused on doing our game. It didn’t go as we planned but we tried our best. Tomorrow, we must win to make it into the next round so we have to give our all. We are facing Nicaragua; it will be an interesting match and to be honest we came here focused on them to reach the next round”.
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