Americans Matthew Anderson and Torey Defalco displayed great partnership at the net to keep USA’s title aspiration, repulsing Germany, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, on Saturday in Week 3 of the Men’s 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Down 22-23 in the fourth set, the Americans refused to give in for a deciding fifth set as they relied on their blocking prowess down the stretch in that set to clinch their second straight win in three games here in Manila leg for a 5-6 win-loss slate.
The Americans swatted 10 enemy attempts — including two that shattered a 23-all fourth set deadlock — to win the weeklong competition hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) headed by President Ramon Tats Suzara.
Anderson played a pivotal role leading the American charge with 20 attacks and three service aces for 23 points while Defalco scattered 18 kills, blocked one shot and scored one service ace. Middle blocker Jeffrey Jenryk posted 10 points on six attacks and four blocks also for Team USA.
Anderson’s kill put the fourth set into 23-all deadlock before Defalco and Jendryk blocked the attacks of their opponent, sending the Germans to back-to-back beatings in the Manila leg for a 4-7 win-loss record.
“Great, great. I think we hung on. We cooled out a couple of close sets. It’s a good feeling to be able to win and still learn,” team captain Micah Christenson said.
“That’s right it’s easy to learn when you lose but I think we’re gonna go back from this game with the smile on our faces that we’re able to get it done even it was a little bit ugly.
The World’s No. 5 Americans, already qualified for the Paris Olympics, battles crowd favorite Japan on Sunday at 7p.m. after France-Brazil 3 p.m. match.
Germany, also got a slot for the Paris games and ranked No. 12 in the world, meets Iran at 11 a.m.
