Lee, Touzinsky Help Lead USA to Victory
USA Volleyball Wins Another Close Match
August 23, 2003 *Story From Nancy Chase, USOC
Memo to fans of the U.S. Men's Volleyball Team: Although the schedule may say two hours per match, bank on at least two and a half, but the show will always be worth it.
True to form, the U.S. Men defeated Canada in another five-game marathon victory (25-27, 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 15-13) during Friday's pool play at the 2003 Summer World University Games.
"Today may have been the best game yet. Yesterday was a tough win, but today they really had to dig deep to take it," said Assistant Coach Andy Read (Garden Grove, Calif.).
The men were down 17-20 in the first game after several key points were scored on blocks by the Canadian team when Pepperdine University's Andy Hein (Carol Stream, Ill.) scored on a textbook kill.
The two teams swapped points back and forth, until Canada scored the game-winning point at 25-27 after Lewis University's Ryan Stuntz (Redondo Beach, Calif.) dove across the floor, missing by mere inches.
"Everyone gets blocked and I think they honestly probably just got lucky a lot. But when something bad happens to a team like a block, you can't get down on yourself," said University of California, Santa Barbara's Evan Patek (Pleasonton, Calif.). "You just have to get over it and focus on the next point."
The team recouped in the second game, never allowing greater than a three point deficit and taking the game 25-22.
The third game was also close with the United States leading 21-20 before the Canadians swept in on a series of points, including an ace on the back line for 24, winning 21-25.
The team came together as a unit in the crucial fourth game, though, taking an early lead and the game, 25-18.
"This group has been together since the end of June and they get along extremely well for a group of guys that have been together for eight weeks, going on nine. Usually you have some kind of problem and we have never even had a problem with these guys. They like one another, they get along well, they respect one another and they play for one another and I think it's shown the last two days," said Head Coach Arnie Ball (Fort Wayne, Ind.).
The men continued to fight through the final match with key plays made by David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) and Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.), both of Long Beach State University, winning the game 15-13 and the match 3-2.
"It was a little harder today. We were tired from yesterday and it was a long night last night with Opening Ceremonies and everything," said Captain Chris Tamas (Santa Barbara, Calif.) of Pacific University. "You could tell at times we were really drained out there…but I think we definitely have the best team here and we really closed."
Patek led the U.S. Team with 29 kills, while Lee came up big in the clutch with 13 kills on 16 attempts for a 75% hitting percentage and a team high six blocks.
Following the match, the team climbed into the stands to visit with the large cheering section of more than 50 Korean supporters from a local university.
"The fans are unbelievable here…they've given us so much hope and so much energy the whole entire time we've been here," said Touzinsky. "And that's why we go up and thank them so much after these big matches because they're just great."
The Korean fans were joined by U.S. swimmers and water polo players who came out to support Team USA.
"Everyone's just been there for us and when we go back I'm sure more people will start coming to the next match. And I know we're going to do the same," said Touzinsky. Sunday we're going to go root for the water polo guys."
"We're always really tight knit with the water polo guys. And I think that's kind of come over here with us from the United States as well. It totally got us pumped up and gave us energy. They're great," Touzinsky continued. "Everyone's just been there for us…and I know we're going to do the same for them."
Team USA continues pool play when they face Denmark at the Yeungnam College of Science and Technology. |
