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CHARLESTON, W.Va., USA (Sept. 10, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team took the gold medal at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship for the first time since 2017 when it beat Canada 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-22) on Sunday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
The United States finished the tournament undefeated at 5-0. Canada (3-1) took the silver medal. Earlier in the day, Cuba took the bronze medal with a 3-0 win over the Dominican Republic.
U.S. setter Micah Christenson was named Most Valuable Player and libero Erik Shoji was named Best Receiver.
The U.S. led the match in attacks (44-31) and blocks (5-3) and scored 23 points on Canada’s errors while committing 18. Canada held the edge in aces (4-3).
“I thought we served the ball quite well and put a lot of pressure on them,” U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said. “Conversely, I think (Canada is) a team that can serve really well. They probably had more errors than they had on Saturday (in a five-set win over Cuba). But when they ripped it, we did a great job of passing.”
U.S. opposite Matt Anderson led all scorers with 16 points on 12 attacks (.588 hitting efficiency), two blocks and two aces. Outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke added 12 points on 12 attacks (.500). Aaron Russell totaled 11 points on nine attacks (.438), one block and one ace and was also credited with 13 digs.
“Canada came out strong, but we battled against it and came out on top,” said libero Erik Shoji, who was credited with eight digs and two excellent receptions. “We knew they would come out with strong serves. That was probably the game plan… We just had to adjust a little bit and adjust our setting, adjust everything. But the main thing was serve and pass and I think we did a great job.”
Middle blocker Max Holt scored seven points on five kills and two blocks. Middle David Smith scored six points on six kills.
Christenson set his team to a .474 hitting efficiency.
The U.S. Men, Canada, Cuba and fifth-place Mexico will be the four national teams from NORCECA competing in the Volleyball Olympic Qualifying Tournament from September 30 to October 8.
The U.S. Men will leave for their qualifier in Tokyo on Sept. 20.
“I feel like this was a great opportunity for us to learn about what we need to do over the next few weeks,” Speraw said. “We have a little bit more time to train and to make sure our bodies are ready for that grueling tournament. But our guys are well-prepared for this.”
U.S. Men’s Roster for the 2023 NORCECA Continental Championship
No. Player (Position, Height, Hometown, College, USAV Region)
1 Matt Anderson (Opp, 6-10, West Seneca, N.Y., Penn State, Western Empire)
2 Aaron Russell (OH, 6-9, Ellicott City, Md., Penn State, Chesapeake)
4 Jeff Jendryk (MB, 6-10, Wheaton, Ill., Loyola Univ. Chicago, Great Lakes)
6 Timothy McIntosh (L, 6-0, Miami, Fla., Sacred Heart, Florida)
8 T.J. DeFalco (OH, 6-5, Huntington Beach, Calif., Long Beach State Univ., Southern California)
9 Jake Hanes (OPP, 6-10, Orland Park, Ill., Ohio State Univ., Great Lakes)
11 Micah Christenson (S, 6-5, Honolulu, Hawaii, Univ. of Southern California, Hawaii)
12 Max Holt (MB, 6-10, Cincinnati, Ohio, Penn State, Ohio Valley)
14 Micah Ma’a (S, 6-3, Kaneohe, Hawaii, UCLA, Aloha)
17 Thomas Jaeschke (OH, 6-6, Wheaton, Ill., Loyola Univ. Chicago, Great Lakes)
18 Garrett Muagututia (OH, 6-5, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
19 Taylor Averill (MB, 6-7, San Jose, Calif., Univ. of Hawaii, Northern California)
20 David Smith (MB, 6-7, Saugus, Calif., Univ. of California Irvine, Southern California)
22 Erik Shoji (L, 6-0, Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanford Univ., Hawaii)
Head Coach: John Speraw
Assistant Coaches: Matthew Fuerbringer and Javier Weber
Performance Analyst and Technical Coordinator: Nate Ngo
Athletic Trainer: Aaron Brock
Team Leader: Nate Ngo
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tim Pelot
Mental Performance Coach: Peter Naschak
Team Doctor: Daniel Green
U.S. Referee: Devonie McLarty
NORCECA Continental Championship Schedule
All times ET
Sept. 5
Canada def. Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-12)
Cuba def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-15)
USA def. Suriname, 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-10)
Sept. 6
Cuba def. Suriname, 3-0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-23)
Canada def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-20)
USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-12)
Sept. 7
Puerto Rico def. Suriname, 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-21)
Dominican Republic def. Mexico, (25-21, 25-21, 25-21)
USA def. Cuba, 3-2 (25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 22-25, 15-12)
Sept. 8 Quarterfinals
Quarterfinal: Cuba def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-23)
Quarterfinal: Dominican Republic def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 32-30)
Sept. 9 Semifinals and Classifications
Classification 5/7: Mexico def Puerto Rico, 3-1 (25-22, 27-29,
Semifinal: USA def Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-14)
Semifinal: Canada def. Cuba, 3-2 (18-25, 25-21, 25-17, 24-26, 15-13)
Sept. 10 Medal Matches and Classifications
Classification 6/7: Puerto Rico def Suriname, 3-1 (25-11, 21-25, 25-19, 25-14)
Bronze Medal Match: Cuba def Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-16)
Gold Medal Match: Canada vs USA, 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-22)
The U.S. Men’s National Team started slowly but picked up speed in beating the Dominican Republic, 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-14) in the semifinals at the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship on Saturday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
The U.S. Men’s National Team held off a tough challenge from Cuba to win their match and their pool 3-2 (25-22, 25-17, 24-26, 22-25, 15-12) on Thursday at the NORCECA Senior Men’s Continental Championship at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
The U.S. Men’s National Team can look forward to a showdown with Cuba after beating Puerto Rico on Wednesday 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-12) in a NORCECA Men’s Senior Continental Championship match at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Opposite/Outside Hitter, 6-10
Setter, 6-5
Libero, 6-0 (184 cm)
Outside Hitter, 6-6
Outside Hitter, 6-9
Middle Blocker, 6-7
Middle Blocker, 6-10
