Aug. 15, 2005

courtesy of USOC media services

IZMIR, Turkey - The USA Men's Volleyball Team finished in fourth place in the pool standings after sweeping China three straight sets but dropping games to Belgium in five sets and Slovakia in three.

Team USA bounced back from a five-set loss to France on Friday, Aug. 12, by sweeping China in three straight sets, 25-22, 25-21, 25-22 on Saturday, Aug. 13. The win put the Americans record at 2-1 in pool play as they battled to stay in medal contention.

"We passed extremely well and initially opened up our middle attack. Then we were able to spread it out, and our outside hitters did a marvelous job of putting the ball away," said USA head coach Joe Wortmann. "The key for us was that we were able to transition. We were able to serve who we wanted to serve and play the defense we wanted to play."

Following the sweep of China, Team USA battled to a fifth set before coming up short to Belgium 25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 25-27, 15-13 on Sunday, Aug. 14. With the loss USA fell to 2-2 in pool play as they looked towards the final match against Slovakia on Monday.

USA had opportunities to win the fifth match as they came back from an 8-5 deficit to tie the score at 13. However a kill by Belgium after a long attack attempt by the USA ended the threat and gave them the victory in the shortened final set.

"We had our chances to even it up and take the lead but we just didn't put it away," said Wortmann.

Match play concluded Monday as Team USA fell to Slovakia in three sets, 25-21, 25-15, 15-19. Slovakia's victory put them in a three-way tie for first at 4-1 with France and Belgium. The loss put the US at 2-3 in the standings; fourth place. USA will next face Korea, the third-place finisher in pool B, in the first match of the consolation bracket Wednesday at6 p.m. at Gaziemir Sports Hall.