San Jose, California (June 26, 2009) – In their first match in the United States since the 2008 Olympic Games, the U.S. National Team defeated a feisty team from China 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-21) before a crowd of 4,315 on Friday in an FIVB World League match at the San Jose State University Event Center Arena.

With the victory, the U.S. improves to 4-1 in Group A. China falls to 1-4.

The United States’ Matt Anderson led all scorers with 11 points. Ping Chen had 10 points for China.

The first set opened with a long rally with China winning the point. But the U.S. hitters soon took over. The United States led 8-4 at the first technical timeout (TTO). China pulled to within two points at 9-7, but Lee ended the threat with a kill and kept Team USA ahead. The U.S. held a 16-11 lead at the second TTO and China, struggling with errors, never threatened again as the U.S. took the set 25-20.

China regrouped and took the early lead in the second set behind strong net play by Hongmin Bian who had a kill and a block. A block by Chunlong Liang followed by a United States service error gave China the 8-6 edge at the first TTO. With China ahead 9-7, a kill by Hein put Suxho at the serve.  Suxho served for the next five points to put the United States ahead 13-9. Team USA still held the lead at the second technical timeout, 16-12. That’s when Stanley got the serve and scored two aces in a row. China called a timeout, but it did not cool off the United States, which responded with a Rooney kill and a third ace by Stanley. When Stanley lost the serve on a kill by Weijun Zhong, the U.S. led 21-13. China did not give up, but the United States went on to win the set 25-19.

The United States held an 8-5 lead at the first TTO of the third set and 16-11 at the second. Although China never gave up, it could not stop the United States. A left-side kill by Rooney ended the match.