USA finish Olympic Qualifier Undefeated, Cuba ends with a win over Iran

October 8, 2023.- The United States finished the FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Qualifier undefeated and Cuba with a five-set win over Iran on Sunday.

United States beat Japan 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-12) in Tokyo, to finish the tournament 7-0 and were awarded the “traditional World Cup” for winning the group. Japan hosted the World Cup every four years from 1965-2019. The Olympic Qualifier tournaments kept the round robin format. The U.S. Men last won the World Cup in 2015.

A crowd of more than 10,000 watched a variety of players compete for both teams.

The United States led Japan in blocks (13-5) with David Smith leading the team with three. Thomas Jendryk and Kyle Ensing each had two.

The two teams were level in kills (64-64), while Japan did better from the service line (6-2 in aces) and in unforced errors (27-30).

Jaeschke led USA with 19 points on 17 kills (.500), one block and one ace. Smith added 14 points with 11 kills (.625) and three blocks. Garrett Muagututia scored 13 points on 12 kills and one block.

In Rio De Janeiro, Cuba and Iran battled for five sets until the Caribbean secured a 3-2 (25-20, 23-25, 23-25, 25-13, 15-9) victory. Cuban opposite Jesus Herrera notched 21 points, one less than Iranian opposite Amin Esmaeilnezhad.

Cuba led Iran in kills (59-55), in blocks (17-6) and in serves (9-2). Cuba committed more unforced errors (29-26).

Cuba finished third place in group A with a 5-2 win-loss record.