USA and Canada continue undefeated at WCH

BARI, Italy September 15, 2018 – United States outplayed Russia 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 25-20) in Pool C of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on Saturday. The victory improved the record of United States to 3-0 with seven points.

Aaron Russell, Matt Anderson and Taylor Sander scored 17, 16 and 13 points, respectively, for the winners. Dimitriy Muserskiy, Maxim Mikhaylov and Egor Kliuka each had 13 points for Russia.

In Ruse Bulgaria Canada stayed undefeated in Pool B. The North Americans achieved a third consecutive after 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23) against China in “Arena Monbat” and topped the standings with the maximum 9 points.

John Gordon Perrin led Canada with 26 points followed by Sharone Vernon Evans with 14. Nicholas Hoag and Graham Vigrass each had 11 in the victory. Chuan Jiang and Libin Liu had 19 and 15, respectively, for China.

It was the seventh consecutive win at a world level major event versus China and second in a row at the World Championship after the straight-set victory in Gdansk in 2014. 

In Varna, Bulgaria in Pool D, Cuba committed 32 unforced errors as the Caribbean side suffered its third loss in as many games this time against Iran 3-1 (17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19) on Saturday.

Cuba’s Osniel Melgarejo had a match-high 22 points but it was not enough to compensate the amount of errors by the team. Miguel Gutierrez and Roamy Alonso added 15 and 12, respectively, in the loss.

Amir Ghafour had 14 as leader of the Iranian attack, followed by Mohammadjavad Manavinezhad with 13. Seyed Mousavi and Ali Shafiel each had 10 points in the victory.