[Editor’s note: Off the Block is partnering with Ball State at the Games to provide the volleyball community with in-depth coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team as it competes for an Olympic gold medal.]
Grace Hollars | Ball State at the Games
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The United States rallied after losing the opening set to defeat Bulgaria in four sets on Friday in Dallas to move into a tie for first place in the FIVB World League Group 1 standings. Check out the images for the U.S. home win.
The U.S. Men’s National Team stands in silence as the national anthem plays before the first FIVB World League Volleyball match in Dallas against Bulgaria.
U.S. middle attacker David Lee serves in the team first-set loss to Bulgaria in FIVB World League play on Friday. in Dallas. Lee had a team-high four blocks and added eight kills as the United States rallied to beat Bulgaria in four games.
Outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke, delivers a jump serve in the opening set of the United States’ FIVB World League victory against Bulgaria. Jaeschke had four kills on 12 attempts.
Outside attacker Thomas Jaeschke is called for a net violation in the first set of the United States’ World League match against Bulgaria. Jaeschke started in the U.S. victroy, but came out in the middle of the second set and didn’t return to the match.
With 13 kills, two blocks and one ace, Taylor Sander led the United States in points in victory its against Bulgaria on Friday.
The United States celebrates after a hard fought point in the fourth set against Bulgaria. The team trailed the final set 10-3 before rallying to win the set and the match.
Outside attacker Reid Priddy passes the ball after being insterted into the lineup in the second set of the United States’ four-set win on Friday. The outside hitter posted four kills, three blocks and one ace against Bulgaria.
Micah Christenson, David Smith and Taylor Sander attempt to block a kill attempt from Bulgaria opposite Tsvetan Sokolov. The United States out-blocked Bulgaria 13 to 5 in its victory on Friday in Dallas.
Opposite Matt Anderson hits a kill attempt through the block during the second set of the United States win versus Bulgaria on Friday. Anderson recorded 12 kills, two blocks and one ace in the four-set win.
Ball State at the Games is a journalism class at Ball State University that will have students gain real-world experience by traveling to Rio de Janeiro to cover the Olympics on-site. This will be the third Olympics that Ball State at the Games will cover, but it is the first games that the class’ primary focus will be covering volleyball.
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