USA's Sander scored 14 points to help claim the bronze medal
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 19, 2015 – Deposed FIVB Volleyball World League champions the USA defeated world champions Poland 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23) to secure the bronze medal at the Maracanazinho Arena on Sunday.
USA’s Taylor Sander, MVP a year ago, led the way with 14 points, while Dawid Konarski scored 12 for Poland. It was the fifth time that the two teams had met in 2015 and the USA’s fourth win.
The USA attacked strongly from the start and were 8-4 ahead at the first technical timeout. Sander’s spike stretched their lead to 13-7 and while both sides committed a number of errors, the USA stayed in control and a huge block by David Lee secured the opening set.
The second set started with a sequence of bad services from both sides, with the USA managing to maintain a small lead. Matt Anderson caused problems for the Polish reception and the USA opened up a 14-10 lead. Mateusz Mika tried to rouse Poland and while they managed to push John Speraw’s team, the US opened a 2-0 lead by winning the set 25-23.
In third set, the teams traded points up to 13-13 and after Konarski and Piotr Nowakowski recorded good blocks, Poland led 23-19. However the USA maintained their focus and they fought back to seal the match with a huge spike by Anderson.
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