Colorado Springs, Colorado (May 22, 2024) – The U.S. men’s national team lost to Poland 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 26-24) in the first round of the Volleyball Nations League qualifying match on Wednesday. Antalya, Türkiye.
The U.S. men (0-1) will look to bounce back against France (1-0) on Friday at 7 a.m. PT.
Match Statistics
Led by Aleksander Silivka (13 points), the defending VNL champions proved their experience by not flinching even as the U.S. men jumped out to an early lead in the first set. Poland led the U.S. in kills (40-34), blocks (6-3) and aces (8-6). Poland outscored the U.S. with 22 errors to the Americans’ 18.
Her opponent, Gabi Garcia-Fernandez, making her competitive debut with the U.S. Men’s National Team, led the U.S. scorers with 11 points on nine kills and two aces. Outside hitter Jordan Ewart made her VNL debut and recorded 10 points on nine kills and one ace.
Garcia Fernandez scored from the back row to tie the score at 21-21, and the U.S. men nearly forced a fourth set. Immediately afterwards, River’s Kyle D’Agostino made a great play, chasing the ball behind the serve line and making a save with a sliding kick, returning the ball to the Polish side. However, Poland grabbed the points and took it to match point. Although the score was tied 24-24, Poland ultimately won the set and the match.
“I think we started a little slower than expected,” D’Agostino told Volleyball World. “We all feel like we have a lot more to show and a lot more to prove this week.”
D’Agostino was credited with four digs and four successful receptions.
Middle blocker Matthew Knigge made his VNL debut as a starter and scored six points with four kills. Middle blocker Patrick Guzman added five points with two kills, one block, and two aces.
Outside hitter Cody Kessel added five points with four kills and one block. Opposite Jake Haynes had three kills.
Outside hitters Ethan Champlin and Brett Wildman, setter Quinn Isaacson and middle blocker Michael Marshman also made their VNL debuts as substitutes.
2024 VNL US Men’s Tentative Roster
Player number (position, height, hometown, university, USAV region)
3 Gabi Garcia Fernandez (Opp, 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, IL, 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 State University of Southern California, Long Beach, California)
twenty one Mason Briggs (L, 6-0, Long Beach State University of Southern California, Long Beach, California)
twenty three Cody Kessel (OH, 6-5, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Princeton University, Rocky Mountain)
twenty four Brett Wildman (Ohio State, 6-5, Virginia Beach, VA, Penn State, Old Dominion)
twenty five Ethan Champlin (OH, 6-3, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
26 Matthew Knigge (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, N.C.)
30 Daniel Wetter (MB, 6-5, Camarillo, CA, CSUN, Southern California)
Head Coach: andy reed
Assistant Coach: Nicholas McRae, Morteza Sciari
Technical Coordinator: Jimmy Kim
Athletic Trainer: benjamin coletti
Team manager: david dantes
Doctor: warren young
2024 US Men’s Schedule VNL
All times are PDT
Matches will be broadcast live and on demand on VolleyballWorld.tv.
1st week: Antalya, Turkiye
10am on May 22nd against Poland. USA 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 26-24)
May 24th, 7am USA vs France
May 25, 10am USA vs. Bulgaria
May 26th, 7am US vs Türkiye
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
3rd week in Manila, Philippines
June 19th, 4am America vs Iran
June 20th, 4am USA vs Brazil
June 21st, 8pm USA vs Germany
June 23rd 4am USA vs. Japan
The final round will take place in Lodz, Poland from June 27-30.
