#2 USA vs #3 Russia

[1972Shocker]

World League men's volleyball returns to Wichita with the #2 ranked USA men taking on the #3 ranked Russian team on Friday and Saturday, July 9th and July 10th.

This is another great event I attended last year and can highly recommend, at least if you like to see jaw-dropping, world-class power and athleticism in action.

Reserved seats are $25 and general admission $15 ($10 for military and $8 for older than 65 and 18 & under).

Go USA! :goshocks:

[1972Shocker]

USA sweeps Russia 25-21, 27-25 and 25-23 in Friday's night match.

I was suprised by the sweep. Last year, with all due respect to the Netherlands, I thought the USA was clearly the better team.

Tonight, I did not think there was much to chose between the two teams. Russia definitely has some major league size. All 3 sets were close from beginning to end.

Not sure what the attendance was tonight. I would say around 4,000. A nice crowd but we can do better Wichita.

If you havn't seen these men in action you're missing a real treat. One more match tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. Initially, I was only going to tonight's match, but I may very well make it back out Saturday. Very impressive display of power and athleticism.

Go USA!

[1972Shocker]

The crowd was a little bigger than I thought at 5,025 according to the Eagle online report. Pretty nice showing.

6,000 would be nice for Saturday.

BTW, sure like the court/floor they use for these matches.

[1972Shocker]

I will be heading back to Koch Arena this evening for the 6 pm match with a group of 7 or 8 of us.

The USA probably needs to win this match 3-0 or 3-1 to gain a spot in the finals via the wild card berth. That will not be easy.

Shocker VB getting a lot of face time on the scoreboard promoting season ticket sales.

Go USA!

[flyingMoose]

I will be heading back to Koch Arena this evening for the 6 pm match with a group of 7 or 8 of us.

We will be there also!

The USA probably needs to win this match 3-0 or 3-1 to gain a spot in the finals via the wild card berth. That will not be easy.

Unfortunately, this is basically impossible. A 3-0 win give USA 26 points in Pool C, while Bulgaria already have 26 points in Pool A and have completed their matches.

The next tiebreaker is points ratio where Bulgaria have 1.076. The USA currently have 1000 points won v 985 points lost for a ratio of 1.015. If USA won all three matches 25-x, Russia can score no more than 14 points in the entire match.

I know, more than you wanted to know. :) But no matter, I will enjoy the match immensely, just seeing the talent on the floor.

[1972Shocker]

The Russians flexed the muscles tonigth and dispatched the USA 3-1.

Word is that the Russian coach was not very happy with his team last night and looks like he lit a bit of a fire under them for tonights match.

The Russians blocking game was a big key tonight. The better team won.

The 7'1", 21 year old MB (#13) for the Russian team is pretty impressive. Looks a little like Bill Walton. He is going to be around in international VB for many years to come if his body holds up.

[1972Shocker]

Unfortunately, this is basically impossible. A 3-0 win give USA 26 points in Pool C, while Bulgaria already have 26 points in Pool A and have completed their matches.

The next tiebreaker is points ratio where Bulgaria have 1.076. The USA currently have 1000 points won v 985 points lost for a ratio of 1.015. If USA won all three matches 25-x, Russia can score no more than 14 points in the entire match.

The main thing is that Argentina makes it to the finals as the host country. They were 0-10 coming into the final weekend.