USA loses in 5 games to Czech Republic, drops to 3rd place in World Games pool

The United States path to the gold medal at the World University Games just became a little more challenging.

Entering the match tied for first place in its pool, the United States lost to the Czech Republic 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-27, 15-13 on Monday in Shenzhen, China to drop into third place.

The top two teams in each pool at the end of the five-match pool-play round will advance to the World University Games quarterfinals.
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UCLA’s Amberg block too much for Turkey in USA sweep at World Games

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.
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Former Gaucho Menzel leads USA in sweep vs. Mexico in World Games opener

Former UC Santa Barbara outside attacker Jeff Menzel in his World University Games debut picked up right where he left off from the NCAA postseason.

Menzel had a match-high 15 kills as the United States swept Mexico 25-17, 25-23, 25-15 in its pool-play opener at the World University Games on Friday in Shenzhen, China.

Menzel was one of 12 current or recently graduated college men’s volleyball players selected to represent the United States at the international tournament, after he led the Gauchos to the 2011 NCAA championship match. The senior outside attacker had a more than 100 postseason kills as UC Santa Barbara upset three top-five ranked teams to reach its first Final Four in more than 20 years.
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The aftermath of the World Championship: 5 things to take away from Team USA

The World Championship ended Wednesday, but there are many things college men’s volleyball teams and fans should take away from the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team’s performance.

No. 9 United States reached the final four for the first time in World Championship history before losing to No. 1 Argentina in the semifinals and No. 5 Serbia in the bronze medal game. The United States roster was comprised of 15 current college men’s volleyball players and four incoming freshmen.

Check out the top five things to take away from the World Championship for the upcoming NCAA men’s volleyball season in January.
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Serbia blows past USA in four games to win World Championship bronze medal

The U.S. Men’s Junior National Team will leave the World Championship without a medal.

No. 9 United States lost to No. 5 Serbia 25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-13 in the bronze medal match Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and failed to win the country’s first medal in the 40-year history of the international tournament.

The United States committed a tournament-high 38 errors in the loss — 19 more errors than Serbia.
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World Championship men’s volleyball match to follow today: USA vs. Serbia

The U.S. Men’s Junior National Team will have a chance this afternoon to win its first medal in World Championship history.

One day after losing in the semifinals, No. 9 United States will play No. 5 Serbia in the World Championship bronze medal match on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The United States prior to this tournament had never reached a World Championship match that had a medal on the line. In addition, its best previous finish at the international tournament was seventh place in 2007.
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No. 9 USA gold medal hopes dashed, lose to No. 1 Argentina in semifinals

The U.S. Men’s Junior National Team’s dream of winning the country’s first gold medal at the World Championship is officially finished.

No. 1 Argentina rallied from a one-game decifit to defeat No. 9 United States 27-29, 28-26, 25-19, 25-20 in the World Championship semifinals Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With this victory, Argentina (6-1) will play the winner of the other semifinals match between No. 2 Russia and No. 5 Serbia in the gold medal match Wednesday. The United States (4-3) will play the loser of the Russia-Serbia match for the bronze medal Wednesday.
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World Championship men’s volleyball match to follow today: USA vs. Argentina

The U.S. Men’s Junior National Team is one win away from being guaranteed its first medal finish at the World Championship.

No. 9 United States will play No. 1 Argentina in the World Championship semifinals at 11:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The winner of this match will play the winner of the No. 2 Russia and No. 5 Serbia semifinals match for the gold medal Wednesday. The two losers of the semifinal matches will play each other for the bronze medal Wednesday.
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World Championship semifinal pairings, match times announced

The match-ups and start times for the World Championship semifinals are now set.

No. 9 United States and No. 1 Argentina will play in the first semifinal match at 11:30 a.m. (EST) Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, while No. 2 Russia and No. 5 Serbia will play in the other semifinal match at 3 p.m. (EST) Tuesday.

The semifinal matchups will pit the first-place team from Pool E against the second-place team from Pool F and the first-place team from Pool F against the second-place team from Pool E.
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USA can’t finish off Russia for Pool E title, gets No. 1 Argentina in semifinals

Despite a two-game lead, the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team was unable to close out No. 2 Russia and win its second-round pool at the World Championship.

Russia rallied to remain undefeated in the tournament as it defeated No. 9 United States 19-25, 27-29, 25-21, 25-17, 15-13 on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to win the Pool E title.

Both the United States (4-2, 2-1 Pool E) and Russia (6-0, 3-0 Pool E) entered their second-round finale having already clinched top two spots in Pool E and berths to the World Championship semifinals. However, the Russia victory dropped the United States into second place in the final Pool E standings and it will have a lower seed for the semifinals.
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