Posted on: Sunday, August 22, 2004

ISLE FILE
U.S. boys volleyball team plays for gold

Advertiser Staff

The U.S. Boys' Youth Team swept its way into today's gold-medal match with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-21 volleyball victory over Puerto Rico in a NORCECA Continental Championships semifinal yesterday at Mexico City.

San Diego's Chase Budinger led the U.S. team with 30 points, including 25 kills. U.S. setter Kawika Shoji, an Iolani junior, added six points and Punahou sophomore Spencer McLachlin four points from the outside. Kamehameha graduate Adam Tuifagu is Team USA's starting libero.

The Americans also defeated Puerto Rico Wednesday, in five games. It was the first time a USA Boys' Youth Team has beaten Puerto Rico with a bid for a World Championships slot (to be held in 2005) up for grabs.

Today, the U.S. team goes after that slot against Canada. Since Wednesday, the unbeaten Americans have settled into a solid ball-control offense that has become more proficient with each victory.

"The first day we were very nervous — hitting out, serving errors, it was unbelievably bad," McLachlin said. "Today, we played like Team USA should play. We kept our serves in, got the kills we needed, played great defense and Adam is passing out of his mind."

MEETING

UH volleyball coach Shoji at QB Club

Dave Shoji, University of Hawai'i women's volleyball coach, will speak at tomorrow's meeting of the Honolulu Quarterback Club.

Also scheduled to speak are golf pro Parker McLachlin, UH assistant soccer coach Derrick Kato and Western Athletic Conference football official Frank White.

Lunch at the Pagoda Ballroom starts at 11:30 a.m., with the program following at noon. The public is invited.