Men’s volleyball: U.S. national, Pan Am Cup teams win

The U.S. men’s national team, with six players with Hawaii ties on the 14-man travel roster, won its fourth consecutive FIVB Volleyball Nations League match on today, defeating host France, 23-25, 25-22, 28-26, 27-25, in Cannes.

Setter Micah Chirstenson (Kamehameha) had the U.S. hitting .434. and was in on three blocks. Erik Shoji (Punahou) was at libero for the entire match.

Not playing were setter/hitter Micah Ma’a (Punahou), setter Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani), middle Taylor Averill (Hawaii) and libero Tui Tuileta (Punahou, Hawaii).

The U.S. (5-4) hosts the next round of pool play at Hoffman Estates, Ill., this week. The Americans play Japan Friday, followed by matches against Canada Saturday and China on Sunday.

Cowell leads U.S. in Pan American Cup
Hawaii outside hitter Colton Cowell had a match-high seven kills and the U.S. men’s Pan American Cup team opened pool play with a 25-10, 25-17, 25-17 win over Guatemala on today in Colima, Mexico.

Cowell added two aces for the U.S. (1-0) which will play Chile Monday. Former Rainbow All-American setter Joe Worsley played in Set 2 for the U.S., which is coached by Hawaii associate coach Milan Zarkovic.

Also on the roster is former Warrior hitter Kupono Fey, who is training at libero.

Play continues through Friday.