USA captain David Lee attacks a set from Micah Christenson
Hoffman Estates, USA, June 15, 2015 – USA edged Poland in their five-set encounter in Pool B of the FIVB Volleyball World League at the Sear’s Centre Arena on Friday.
USA coach John Speraw: For the large stretches of the match, Poland played better, but we were able to make a couple of key runs at important times and take a couple of sets to allow us to get to the fifth (set). We played very well in the fifth set. Until then, Poland was slightly better in some cases. Obviously it was very tight all the way. It’s still early in the summer and both teams are going to improve.”
USA captain David Lee: “Our team didn’t play our best. I think we can serve and receive the ball better. We played a very good Polish team. Their block defence was phenomenal. The fact that we ended up with this victory was really a big step for us, to be able to stay in that match and fight the entire time, and keep our energy up. I am really proud of the team and I hope we can get the same result tomorrow.”
Poland coach Stephane Antiga: “I have some regrets about the fourth set. I think we lost concentration and we couldn’t catch up with USA. I am sure we can do better at the end of the tie-break but the USA played much better on block defence.”
Poland captain Michal Kubiak: “We had our chances to win the game in the fourth set but we couldn’t seem to take it. We will move forward to tomorrow’s game and we really hope it will end up better for us.”