Stanford outside helps U.S. avoid upset, beat Guatemala in NORCECA opener

The United States survived an upset scare in its pool-play opener thanks to Stanford outside attacker Will Rottman.

Rottman finished with a match-high 21 kills as the United States rallied to defeat Guatemala 24-26, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10 on Wednesday at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Durango, Mexico.

The Stanford junior was one of three U.S. players to have double-digit kills in the team’s first of three pool-play matches. Former Ohio State opposite Jake Hanes had 18 kills, while Penn State All-American outside attacker Brett Wildman contributed 13 kills.

The United States playing with a roster primarily comprised of current college players out-blocked Guatemala 11 to 3. Former UC Santa Barbara middle attacker Keenan Sanders led all players with four blocks, and Lewis All-American middle attacker Tyler Mitchem had three blocks against Guatemala.

Outside attacker Carlos Chacon led Guatemala with 15 kills in the near upset.

Guatemala overcame a 23-18 deficit in the opening game and won in overtime.

It also had a chance to take a two-game lead with the second game tied 23-23, but the United States rallied to even the match. The United States on the final two plays of the second game had a kill from Sander and then a match-winning ace from Wildman whose serve clipped the net and fell on the Guatemalan side of the court.

Wildman finished with a match-high three aces against Guatemala.

The United States will continue pool-play with a match against the Dominican Republic on Thursday. The Dominican Republic lost to Cuba in four games in its tournament opener Wednesday.