U.S. sweeps Iran in USAV Cup

The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, with three players from Hawaii in the starting lineup, concluded its four-match USA Volleyball Cup against Iran with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-19 sweep Saturday night in Irvine, Calif.

Setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha, USC) finished with a match-high five aces, a block and a kill. Outside hitter Brad Lawson (‘Iolani, Stanford) had two kills playing in the first two sets. Libero Erik Shoji (Punahou, Stanford) was credited with nine receptions in the match held at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center.

Also on the roster but not playing Saturday were setter Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani, Stanford) and former University of Hawaii libero Alfee Reft, both of whom played in earlier Cup matches.

The U.S. went 3-1 against Iran. The teams will meet again in pool play during the FIVB World Championship, Aug. 30-Sept. 21 in Poland.

» In Tijuana, Mexico, the men’s volleyball team representing the United States at the Pan American Cup, with two players with Hawaii ties in the starting lineup, fell to Cuba 25-16, 25-23, 25-23 in the gold-medal match.

Outside hitter Taylor Crabb (Punahou, Long Beach State) finished with eight kills and an ace. University of Hawaii middle blocker Taylor Averill also had eight kills and an ace.

Freitas second at Shonan SUP event

Hawaii’s Mo Freitas won Saturday’s sprint event and finished second in Sunday’s 10-kilometer distance event to win the overall title of the inaugural Shonan Chigasaki Pro in Japan, part of the Stand Up World Series

It was the first time a pro SUP event had been held in Asia.

In Sunday’s race, the 17-year-old Freitas took advantage of his surfing skills to ride bumps on the downwind section of the course to finish a close second to Australia’s Paul Jackson. Freitas earned $5,000 for the overall title.

Hekili moves to 3-0 in 14-and-under Series

Skyler Yamamoto threw a complete game eight-hitter while striking out six as Hekili defeated Lawrenceburg (Tenn.) 6-0 at the 14-and-under Babe Ruth World Series in Ocala, Fla., on Sunday.

Justin Fernandez went 3-for-3 at the plate and drove in two runs.

The team has the day off Monday and will finish pool play Tuesday against Sarasota (Fla.). Regardless of the outcome, Hekili has already advanced into single-elimination championship bracket play, which begins Wednesday.

Waipahu advances in Legion Series

The Waipahu American Legion baseball team advanced to a Monday semifinal in Shelby, N.C.

Waipahu finished pool play 2-1, having won on Friday vs. Columbia (Tenn.) 14-1 and 8-1 on Saturday against Chico (Calif.) before a 12-8 loss to Omaha (Neb.) on Sunday.

A win Monday would put Waipahu in Tuesday’s championship game.