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Not much – if anything – went wrong for UCLA outside attacker Sean Kelly against Suriname.
Kelly finished with eight kills and no errors on an .889 attack percentage as the United States swept Suriname 25-12, 25-15, 25-15 at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship on Wednesday in Mexico.
The UCLA incoming freshman had a game-high five kills in the opening game. Kelly also had an ace and two kills during a 9-1 run early in the second-game victory en route to the United States remaining undefeated in group-play.
The United States out-hit Suriname .492 to negative-.052 highlighted with a match-best .600 attack percentage in the first game.
Along with Kelly, the United States had four players finish with at least five kills.
Long Beach State outside attacker Victor Loiola ended with a match-high 12 kills, including leading all players with seven kills in the second game. Pepperdine pin-hitter Cole Hartke Cole Hartke had six kills and hit .455, while Hawai’i opposite Finn Kearney coming off the bench contributed five kills on a perfect 1.000 attack percentage.
Pin-hitter Meson Anakaba in the loss had a team-high 10 kills and was the only Suriname player with more than three kills.
This was the second consecutive match to open the tournament that the United States held its opponent to a negative attack percentage. In addition, the United States has yet to lose a set so far in the group-play stage.
The United States with this victory remains in first place in group-play and will play Mexico in its pool-play finale on Thursday.
A win against Mexico will clinch the group championship and a bye to the semifinals for the United States. The United States has already secured at least a spot to the quarterfinals following its sweep against Suriname.