United States Win Gold at NORCECA Men’s U21 Continental Championship
NOGALES, Mexico, June 16, 2024.- The United States won the gold medal at
the NORCECA Men’s U21 Continental Championship defeating Canada 3-0
(25-18, 25-21, 27-25) on Sunday in Nogales, Mexico.
This is the fourth gold medal for the United States in the history of
the event, for an overall of 11 medals (two silvers, five bronzes).
For Canada, this is their fifth silver medal. They also have two golds
and three bronze medals.
United States led in attack points by a huge margin (44-29) and also
finished with a comfortable lead in blocks (12-9). Both teams scored one
ace. United States gave away 25 points from errors compared to Canada’s
20.
Outside hitter Sterling Foley scored 16 points (13 attacks, 3 blocks) to
lead the victory. Captain and outside hitter Sean Kelly contributed 12
points, all from attacks. Cole Hartke added 11 points (9 attacks, one
block, one ace). Middle blocker Jackson Cryst had a match-high of 5
block points.
Opposite hitter Owen Weekes, who came in as a substitute during the
first two sets and played the entire third set, was Canada's top scorer
with 13 points.
USA jumped to an early 13-8 lead and never allowed Canada to catch up in
the first set. The same happened in the second, but after being up
15-10, an error and two consecutive blocks by Canada narrowed the gap.
However, Sean Kelly ended Canada's streak with a direct attack. Canada
adjusted in the third set and held the lead several times, with attacks
from Ashton South and serves from Piers De Greeff. USA reached match
point at 24-23 with a block by Jackson Cryst, but Owen Weekes tied it
with a kill. Then, Canada missed a set point, but two consecutive points
from Sterling Foley (one kill and a block) pushed the Americans to
another match point, which middle blocker Parker Tomkinson secured with
a block.
Setter Tread Rosenthal said “It was an exciting finish. It was just
great and playing together as a team, we’ve been preaching this for a
while and just staying together through tough and good times. Finn
Kearney and Trent Teliaferro came off the bench and gave us a little
juice towards the end, and then it was just making the right play at the
right time. Poise was our best skill, no matter what happened we stayed
together and played steady the whole time”.
USA Head coach John Hawks said “Those last points were tough. The
character of our guys, our coaching staff, the systems were putting in
and they all just believed we could do it. Until we lose, we were still
in this thing. The subs did a great job, all twelve of these players
earned our trust, they can go in and do it, they all helped turn things
around a little bit and I am so proud of them”. |