Anderson helps USA against Korea
GOLANIA, Brazil, June 2, 2018 - Matthew Anderson helped the USA
rise above the challenge of Korea and maintain their perfect 5-0
record in the VNL with a comprehensive straight-sets 3-0 win
(25-23 25-21, 25-11).
The 6 foot eight opposite spiker was smashing the ball with his
customary venom and racked up 10 spikes, two blocks and an ace
as the Americans kept pace with leaders Poland as they bagged
their fifth win on the spin to set them up perfectly for
Sunday’s titanic clash with Brazil.
Anderson wasn’t the only hero wearing Stars and Stripes - Jake
Langlois (15 points) and Torey Defalco and David Smith (nine
each) were also impressive in what a great, cohesive team
display from the Olympic bronze medalists.
This was another testing encounter for Korea who are now the
only side in this inaugural tournament to have not won a single
set.
The Asian side are the lowest ranked side in the VNL and
although it’s not for a lack of effort, the competition on show
have just proved to be stronger in those decisive moments.
The Koreans last beat the US at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and
that record was in no danger of being broken here.
Seung-Suk Kwak (seven points) and Sung-Min Moon (five points)
were the liveliest Koreans on show although 23 errors (the US
finished with 22) did little to help the plight faced by Kim
Hochul’s side who managed just two blocks compared to eight from
their opponents. |