USA gets much-needed win vs. Germany to stay alive in VNL

Team USA staged a massive fourth set surge to escape gutsy Germany, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 25-23, and keep its playoff bid alive in the 2024 Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Americans, who are looking to replicate, if not, surpass their silver medal finish in the previous VNL edition, improved to 5-6 with Cuba (5-6), Serbia (5-5), and Argentina (5-6) standing in their way. The Germans, on the other hand, slipped to 4-7 and are now in a much dangerous position. 

USA saw itself down in the crucial juncture of the fourth set when veteran outside hotter TJ Defalco went too wide on his attack from the open side, sending Germany to a 21-19 lead. 

However, another seasoned spiker in Matt Anderson was able to force a 23-all deadlock before a Defalco denial on Tobias Brand brought the Americans to the match point. Another rejection, this time from middle blocker Jeffrey Jendryk against Lukas Maase, saw USA seizing the win to remain in contention for a quarterfinals berth. 

Anderson paced USA with 23 points anchored on 20 attacks and three aces while Defalco churned out 20 markers. The middle blocker duo of Jendryk and David Smith chipped in 10 and nine points apiece.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News