The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, down 2-0 to Japan on Friday, brought in former University of Hawaii middle Taylor Averill and ʻIolani graduate Kawika Shoji at setter to rally for a 23-25, 13-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-10 victory in the FIVB Volleyball Nationals League in Goiânia, Brazil.
Averill and Shoji were among the four subs that helped the Americans remain undefeated in VNL play at 4-0. The U.S. hasn’t lost to Japan since 1993.
Averill finished with five kills, a block and an ace. Shoji, who replaced starting setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha), added two aces. Erik Shoji (Punahou) played the entire match at libero.
The U.S. plays Korea today and Brazil on Sunday.
Weston-Webb, Manuel eliminated
Hawaii’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and Malia Manuel were eliminated at today’s Corona Ball Protected Women’s in Keramas, Bali, Indonesia, the fifth stop of the World Surf League Championship Tour.
Weston-Webb posted a huge upset in the quarterfinals, ousting current standings leader and six-time WSL champion Stephanie Gilmore. Needing only a 4.11 to take the lead in the final minute, Gilmore, of Australia, fell on her first turn, leaving Weston-Webb to hold on for the win, 9.93 to 6.90.
Weston-Webb then was edged out by Australia’s Tyler Wright, 15.00 to 14.80, in the semifinals. Manuel was eliminated in the quarterfinals by California’s Lakey Peterson, 12.10 to 9.84.
Correction: An earlier version of the story incorrectly identified Kawika Shoji as being a Punahou alumnus.
