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UCLA middle attacker Thomas Amberg block kept the United States’ record perfect at the World University Games.
Amberg had a match-high eight blocks as the United States swept Turkey 25-18, 25-9, 25-20 to remain undefeated in pool-play at the international tournament on Saturday in Shenzhen, China.
The United States (2-0, 2-0 Pool D) out-blocked Turkey 12-2 in the victory. In addition, Amberg’s UCLA teammate Wes Dunlap was second on the United States with two blocks.
Along with his blocks, Amberg had seven kills and was one of two U.S. players to finish the match with at least five kills.
Former UC Santa Barbara outside attacker Jeff Menzel had a team-high nine kills in the victory.
This was the second consecutive match that Menzel led the United States in kills. The All-American outside attacker had a match-high 15 kills in the United States’ pool-play opening sweep against Mexico on Friday.
Turkey outside attacker Kemal Kivanc Elgaz had a match-high 12 kills in the loss.
Turkey (0-2, 0-2 Pool D) in the three games committed 32 errors — 15 more than the United States.
The United States’ 16-point win in the second game was the most lopsided score so far in Pool D — and the second most lopsided score of the entire tournament.
With this victory, the United States moves into a three-way tie with Thailand and the Czech Republic for first place in Pool D. The top two teams in Pool D at the end of the five-match pool-play round will advance to the quarterfinals.
The United States will continue the pool-play round with a match against Czech Republic at 6 a.m. (EST) Monday.