Courtesy of USA Volleyball
STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford alums Kawika and Erik Shoji helped the U.S. Men's National Team qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Sunday with a 25-18, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21 win over Netherlands at the FIVB qualification tournament in Rotterdam.
It is the 10th straight time the U.S. Men have qualified for the Olympic Games and 12th time overall. The U.S. Men have won three Olympic gold medals (1984, '88 and 2008) and two bronze (1992 and 2016). Both the U.S. Men, ranked No. 2 in the world, and No. 15 Netherlands were 2-0 in the round-robin qualification tournament heading into Sunday's match.
The U.S. Men led Netherlands in blocks (11-8) and aces (6-3). The U.S. scored 31 points off Netherlands errors while committing 28. Netherlands led in attacks (45-44).
Opposite Matt Anderson led the U.S. with 18 points on 16 kills and two blocks. Outside hitter Aaron Russell added 17 points on 14 kills, one block and two aces.
Middle blockers Max Holt and David Smith each played key rolls in the win and finished with 10 points apiece. Holt had a match-high five blocks. Smith had a match-high three aces.
Libero Erik Shoji, as usual, was a key to the U.S. victory with strong and consistent passing of Netherlands' tough serves.
"We're so happy," Shoji said. "We expected a battle from the Netherlands and we got that. I think it was huge how we performed at the end of each set with those three-set wins. We're just so excited, so happy and a bit relieved to have this off of our back and just so excited to be coming home with the win."
STARTERS FOR THE U.S. MEN VS. NETHERLANDS
Outside hitters: Aaron Russell and Garrett Muagututia
Middle blockers: Max Holt and David Smith
Opposite: Matt Anderson
Setter: Micah Christenson
Libero: Erik Shoji
Substitute: Thomas Jaeschke (OH)