The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, with three Hawaii prep products on the roster, opened FIVB World League play on Thursday with a 3-1 win over Argentina in Rio de Janeiro.
Micah Christenson (Kamehameha) was the starting setter and Erik Shoji (Punahou) the libero in the 26-24, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22 Group 1 pool-play victory. Reserve setter Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani) did not play.
Christenson had 15 assists, five digs and a kill, and Erik Shoji had 12 digs in the match at Carioca Arena. The U.S. (1-0) next plays Iran (0-1) today at 10 a.m.
UH graduate Spieler honored by CoSIDA
Recent University of Hawaii graduate Katie Spieler, a two-time beach volleyball All-American, was named to the second team of the CoSIDA Academic All-American At-Large team on Thursday.
Spieler, who graduated last month with a 4.0 GPA in her master’s degree program in business, was one of 31 student-athletes on the first, second and third teams, which represented 13 sports.
Spieler finished her career with a program-best 102 victories, was named the NCAA Elite 90 award winner at last month’s NCAA beach volleyball championship, and was part of the Big West’s Pairs Team of the Year with Emily Maglio.
Florence eliminated in quarterfinals
Hawaii’s John John Florence was eliminated by Australia’s Matt Wilkinson in the quarterfinals of the Fiji Pro on Thursday in Namotu, Tavarua, Fiji.
Wilkinson prevailed 14.63 to 10.93.
The event wrapped up later in the day with Brazil’s Gabriel Medina beating Wilkinson in the final 15.60 to 6.34.
