Colorado Springs, Colorado (May 26, 2024) – The U.S. men’s national team recorded its first win of the tournament, defeating Turkey 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-21) in the final match of week one of the Volleyball Nations League Qualifiers on Sunday in Antalya, Turkey.
“It feels great. We’ve practiced a lot,” outside hitter Ethan Champlin told Volleyball World. “What we always talk about in the locker room is this team, these 14 guys, is only going to play together once, and it’s probably never going to happen again, so we’re just going to enjoy the moment together, play hard and play for each other. That’s the most important thing.”
The U.S. men’s team finished week 1 with a record of 1-3. Week 2 of the VNL begins on June 4 in Ottawa, Canada.
Match Statistics
Opposite Jake Haynes was unstoppable, scoring an astounding 31 points with 29 kills and two aces.
Middle blocker Patrick Guzman added 13 points with nine kills, three blocks and one ace.
Outside hitter Jordan Ewart finished with seven points with six kills and one ace, while Champlin added six points with four kills and two aces.
Besides Haynes’ dominating performance, service pressure was the deciding factor in the match. The U.S. had seven aces to Turkey’s three. Turkey had a slight advantage in kills (51-50), but the two teams were evenly matched in blocks (8-8). The U.S. scored 32 points off 31 opponent errors.
After dropping the first set, momentum shifted for the U.S., with an ace by Haynes followed by a kill from the back row to tie the second set at 18-18. Middle blocker Daniel Wetter, making his VNL debut, immediately contributed with a block to give the U.S. set point. Haynes again handled the rest from the back row to tie the match at 1-1.
The third set was tight and an ace serve from Champlin put the U.S. ahead 15-14. A tough serve from Evert forced Turkey to make an attacking mistake and the U.S. took its first lead of the tournament, 2-1.
Turkey struggled in the fourth set in front of a big home crowd, but the momentum was already in the USA’s favor and they wouldn’t let it go. Capitalizing on Turkey’s mistakes and backed by strong play from Haynes, the USA men claimed their first VNL victory.
Setter Quinn Isaacson added three points with two blocks and an ace.
Libero Kyle D’Agostino had nine digs and seven receptions. Libero Mason Briggs started the fourth set and recorded four digs.
Opposite Gabi Garcia-Fernandez, outside hitter Brett Wildman and setter Josh Tuaniga all played as replacements.
US Men’s Reserve Team for the 2024 VNL
Player number (position, height, place of birth, university, USAV region)
3 Gabi Garcia Fernandez (Opponents: 6-7, San Juan, Puerto Rico, BYU, Intermountain)
6 Quinn Isaacson (S, 6-2, Plainfield, Illinois, Ball State University, Great Lakes)
9 Jake Haynes (Opp, 6-10, Orland Park, Illinois, Ohio State University, Great Lakes)
Ten Kyle D’Agostino (L, 5-9, Tampa, Florida, Stanford University, Florida)
13 Patrick Guzman (MB, 6-10, Clovis, CA, University of Hawaii, Northern California)
16 Josh Tuaniga (S, 6-3, Long Beach, California, Long Beach State University, Southern California)
twenty one Mason Briggs (L, 6-0, Long Beach, California, Long Beach State University, Southern California)
twenty three Cody Kessel (OH, 6-5, Colorado Springs, CO, Princeton University, Rocky Mountain)
twenty four Brett Wildman (OH, 6-5, Virginia Beach, VA, Pennsylvania State University, Old Dominion)
twenty five Ethan Champlin (OH, 6-3, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
26 Matthew Nigge (MB, 6-7, New Egypt, New Jersey, Vassar, Garden Empire)
27 Michael Marshman (MB, 6-7, Glenmont, NY, St. Francis, Excelsior Empire)
29 Jordan Ewart (Ohio State, 6-5, Antioch, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)
30 Daniel Wetter (MB, 6-5, Camarillo, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
Head Coach: Andy Reid
Assistant Coach: Nicholas McRae, Morteza Siari
Technical Coordinator: Jimmy Kim
Athletic Trainer: Benjamin Colletti
Team Manager: David Dantes
Doctor: Warren Young
2024 VNL US Men’s Schedule
All times are PDT
Matches will be broadcast live and on demand on VolleyballWorld.tv.
First week in Antalya, Türkiye
May 22, 10 a.m. Poland defeats USA 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 26-24)
May 24, 7 a.m. France beats the United States 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-21)
May 25, 10:00 a.m. Bulgaria beats USA 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21)
7:00 a.m. May 26, USA wins. Turkey 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-21)
Week 2 in Ottawa, Canada
June 4th, 1:30pm USA vs Argentina
June 6th, 1:30pm USA vs Italy
June 7th, 5pm USA vs Serbia
June 8th, 1:30pm USA vs Canada
Week 3 in Manila, Philippines
June 19th, 4am America vs Iran
June 20th, 4am USA vs Brazil
June 21st, 8pm USA vs Germany
June 23rd, 4am America vs Japan
The final round will take place in Lodz, Poland on June 27-30.
