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For the first time in the tournament’s history, the United States is moving to the quarterfinals at the FIVB Boys Youth World Championship.
Long Beach State incoming recruit Kyle Ensing finished with a match-high 15 kills and added four aces as the United States swept Mexico 25-18, 25-16, 25-22 in the Round of 16 on Wednesday in Argentina.
This was the third consecutive match that Ensing has led the United States (5-0) in kills. The opposite also is in the top 10 of the tournament with a 49.47 percent kill success rate.
The United States in the victory had 13 aces — the second time in the last three matches that it finished with double-digit aces.
UCLA recruit Micah Ma’a had a match-high six aces against Mexico (2-3). In addition, Ma’a is now the only player with more than 20 aces throughout the tournament.
Along with the team’s serving performance, the United States out-blocked Mexico 6 to 1. Both Ensing and middle attacker Scott Stadick were the only players have multiple blocks.
Outside attacker Ridel Garay Nava led Mexico with 14 kills as it was eliminated from medal contention.
With this victory, the United States advances to play Russia (4-1) in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Russia defeated Bulgaria in four games in its Round of 16 match on Wednesday. In addition, Russia at the last Youth World Championship in 2013 eliminated the United States in the Round of 16.