Netherlands
clinch top seed for International Sports Invitational semifinals
California, USA, June 10, 2005 - Kristian van de Wel scored a
match-high 18 points to pace three players in double figures as
the Netherlands defeated Australia, 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19),
in the men’s Volleyball competition of the International Sports
Invitational on Friday at the University of San Diego.
van de Wel had 17 kills and one block as the Dutch finished pool
play unbeaten at 3-0. Holland thus earns the No. 1 seed for the
tournament semifinals that begin Saturday night.
Joram Maan scored 13 points on 11 kills, one block and one
service ace while Rob Bontje added 10 points on eight kills, one
block and one ace for the Netherlands, which defeated the USA
(3-2), China (3-0) and Australia (3-0) en route to a perfect
pool play mark.
Nathan Roberts, Andrew Earl and David Ferguson each scored seven
points for the Aussies in the loss.
With Australia finishing pool play with a record of 0-3 and
earning the No. 4 seed, these same two teams will meet again in
Saturday’s first semifinal.
Saturday’s second semifinal will feature a rematch of Friday’s
match between China and the United States, which USA won 3-1
(25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18).
In a match that meant nothing in the standings and everything on
the court, USA emerged victorious in its final pool play match
against China.
Curt Toppel scored a match-high 19 points and Dave McKienzie
added 18 points. Toppel had 16 kills, two blocks and one service
ace in the victory as the United States wrapped up the No. 2
seed after finishing the preliminary round with a record of 2-1.
Shi Hiarong scored 16 points on 16 kills while Tang Miao chipped
in with 14 points on 12 kills and two aces for China, who
finished pool play with a record of 1-2.
“Tonight we all just jelled together as a team,” said Toppel.
“We had a lot of players come in. I clicked with the setter
(Chris Seiffert), and when that happens, good things happen.
“I haven’t played very many international matches, so I gained
some more confidence that I can go into another match and try to
repeat my performance tonight.”
The United States and China entered Friday’s final pool play
match already knowing that they would meet again in Saturday’s
second semifinal pitting the No. 2 seed against the No. 3 seed.
With nothing at stake except for the victory, it allowed both
teams to give some reserve players a chance to see what they
could do.
“There were a couple of objectives for us tonight, certainly,”
said Team USA head coach Hugh McCutcheon. “Anytime we step on
the court, we’re trying to win. I think what we were trying to
do was give some guys that haven’t had a chance to play chances
to play, but not in the sense that we’re throwing them a bone.
We have a lot of faith in our squad. We’ve got depth; we’ve got
a lot of talent. It was really nice to see some of our less
experienced players come in and play well.
“I think the team definitely showed some competitiveness, showed
some passion and got after it,” McCutcheon added. “It’s not like
China is a bad team; that’s a good squad over there.” |
