Updated at 4:01 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2007
Shoji, McLachlin lead Jr. National volleyball
Advertiser Staff
After completing a warm-up tournament in Italy that had its ups and downs, the U.S. Men's Junior National Team will begin play tomorrow at the FIVB Men's Junior World Championships. Team USA, captained by Honolulu's Kawika Shoji and Spencer McLachlin, opens against Egypt in Rabat, Morocco.The United States is in Pool B with Egypt, Brazil, Slovenia, Argentina and defending world champion Russia. Pool A is Bulgaria, Iran, Cuba, Italy, Morocco and Japan.
This is the fourth time the U.S. has qualified for Junior Worlds. In 1977 and 1981, it was seventh. Team USA returned in 2005, going 2-5 and finishing eighth.
The junior team finished a "friendly" tournament in Italy with a 1-3 record, losing twice to Japan and once to Italy. Team USA pulled an amazing comeback Monday to defeat Brazil, 24-26, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 29-27. Shoji was a key part of the rally and McLachlin had 11 points.
"Kawika Shoji is a great libero for us," U.S. coach Andy Read said. "You could just put a camera on him and tell players, 'play like him.'"
The team opened the friendly tournament by falling to Italy, 13-25, 20-25, 16-25. After the victory over Brazil, it fell to Japan, 29-31, 20-25, 20-25, and 20-25, 17-25, 25-21, 24-26.
