USA won a thrilling five-set match against Argentina to start the final day of the men’s Volleyball Nations League 2022 Preliminary Phase.
Argentina played well, led by Luciano Palonsky’s 24 points, but the loss eliminated them from the Finals in Bologna from July 20 to 24. They concluded VNL with 5-7 and 18 points and sit ninth, narrowly behind the cut-off line. The Netherlands and Slovenia will play their last games on Sunday to determine the last Finals spot.
The lead changed hands several times in the first set, but only once did Argentina lead by more than two points, at 9-6. The South Americans led the opening half. Defalco’s nine points gave the North Americans a tiny edge in the second. Argentina denied the first four US set points, pushing the set into overtime.
Argentina’s offense improved in the second set. They led 11-7 after a pipe shot by Ezequiel Palacios, a block-out hit by Luciano Vicentin, and a block by Joaquin Gallego. USA kept fighting, but they could only get within one.
Palacios’ three straight swings gave Argentina a 9-6 advantage in set three. After two massive blocks by middle Mitchell Stahl, USA evened the score at 16-16. However, that balance was brief. The South Americans proceeded on a five-point run, including three kills by Palonsky, to break away again with a 22-17 lead and effectively pre-decide the set. Palonsky grabbed his eighth point of the set with an exquisite tip for 25-20.
USA took a 12-8 lead in the fourth set after a tremendous hit by Smith into the center, a huge block by setter Micah Christenson, and an attacking error by the opponents. The North Americans controlled the net and won the set 25-13, with Smith closing it up with another swipe into the middle.
Argentina took a two-point lead first. With two misserves, the South Americans gave their opponents the first two match points, but they won. ц
“We expected a nice game and a fight, but not that.” “I’m glad everyone saw a decent fight,” Defalco remarked. “Because this was our next match, I thought it was vital. We look no further. We focus on the current match. It was a team effort this week, and I’m delighted for the team. “Rest!”
ц Argentina first led by two points. ц With two misserves, the South Americans gave their opponents the first two match points, but they won. ц
“We expected a nice game and a fight, but not that.” “I’m glad everyone saw a decent fight,” Defalco remarked. “Because this was our next match, I thought it was vital. We look no further. We focus on the current match. It was a team effort this week, and I’m delighted for the team. “Rest!”
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