USA open with 3-1 victory over Bahrain at U19

RIFFA, Bahrain, August 19, 2017 – Joel Schneidmiller helped USA open their campaign with a 3-1 (28-26, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23) win over hosts Bahrain in Pool A of the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship at the Isa City Sports Hall on Saturday.

Schneidmiller built his 23 points from 21 attacks, and two blocks, then Jaylen Jasper also helped USA’s winning cause with 19 points. Hasan Mohamed topped all scorers with 24, but was the lone double-digit scorer from the hosts’ side. USA showed some muscle with 54 attack hits and 14 stuff blocks.

Celestin Cardin top scored with 16 points to lead France in their 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-14) win over Cuba in Pool B.

Cardin had 14 attacks, a block and an ace to lead all scorers. Remi Bassereau also had a productive day with 15 points to outscore Cuban top scorer Rey Isaac Flores Quesada, who tallied 11 markers. France had a big advantage with 42 attacks and six aces, but Cuba played better defence at the net with nine blocks.

Czech Republic charted their first victory in Pool D by winning 3-0 (28-26, 25-16, 25-17) against Mexico on Saturday. 

Czech hitter Marek Sotola led all scorers on the field with 13 points scored off purely on attacks, while Jan Svoboda helped out with 10 more points. Mexico captain Raymond Gerald Stephens scored 12 points.

Youssef Hamdy Awad (Y. Elsafy) led Egypt to a 3-1 (29-27, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17) win over Puerto Rico in Pool A.

Y. Elsafy scored 17 of his 19 points from the attack line and had two blocks, then his team-mate Yousef Hafez Elsirgany contributed 15 points. Pedro Molina recorded 16 points, as Egypt silenced Puerto Rican top scorer Gabriel Garcia, who only recorded 11 markers in the match.