ISLE FILE
U.S. boys volleyball team loses opener
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Boys' Youth national team opened the FIVB Boys' Youth World Championship yesterday with a 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20 loss to Argentina, in Tijuana, Mexico. The U.S. faces China today in Pool C play.
'Iolani senior Brad Lawson had eight kills and a block for Team USA, and Academy of the Pacific graduate Tri Bourne, who played in the final two games, had one kill. Punahou senior Erik Shoji had a team-high 12 digs and, with Lawson, anchored the passing.
Tino Reyes, the University of Hawai'i men's associate coach, is the youth team's coach.
Argentina broke a 20-20 tie in the opening game with a 4-0 run. The U.S. narrowed a 16-12 second-game deficit to 18-17, but Argentina scored seven of the last nine points. Team USA allowed an early 6-3 lead in the third to slip away, but broke a 21-21 tie with two straight points. Argentina pulled away 21-14 in the final game.
WORLD GAMES
U.S. MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM GAINS SEMIFINALS
The U.S. men's volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the World University Games with a 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 27-29, 15-8 quarterfinal win over Ukraine yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Alfred Reft, who played at the University of Hawai'i, started all five games at libero for the Americans. The U.S. will face Turkey in today's semifinal. Canada plays Italy in the other semifinal.
In women's basketball, Australia advanced to the gold-medal game with a 62-50 win over the Czech Republic. Tanya Smith, a UH senior, didn't score for the Australians.
Australia faces Russia in tomorrow's final. The Russians defeated Poland, 72-46.
In softball, Canada defeated the U.S., 9-2, in a playoff-round game. Kalaheo graduate Jessika Ngirblekuu, who played at Palm Beach Community College (Fla.), started as the designated hitter for the U.S. The Americans face Japan tomorrow.
PREP VOLLEYBALL
KAMEHAMEHA, REDONDO GO 8-0 IN 'IOLANI TOURNEY
Kamehameha and Redondo (Calif.) topped their pools with 8-0 records after yesterday's opening round of the 25th annual Ann Kang Invitational Volleyball Tournament at 'Iolani School.
Competition in the remaining two pools will be held today, starting at 10 a.m.
