WARSAW (Xinhua) -- Poland men’s volleyball team finished the preliminary phase of the FIVB Volleyball World Championships with three straight victories as they beat the United States 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21) on home soil in Katowice on Tuesday.
Both teams advanced into the Round of 16 and 2018 world champions Poland finished first in the group, while John Speraw’s team took second place. Poland extended their winning streak to eight games.
On Tuesday, captain Bartosz Kurek stole the show with 20 points, while Kamil Semeniuk delivered 13. Torey Defalco was the most prolific player for the visitors with 16 points.
Poland started well and were leading 8-4 at the first technical break after two counterattacks finished by Aleksander Sliwka. The Americans leveled the score at 12-12. Jeffrey Jendryk delivered an important point with a strong serve, while Kamil Semeniuk was blocked by the visitors.
The Americans had the last word in a fierce opening set as they won 25-23 thanks to Kyle Rusell’s ace and a double touch by Kamil Semeniuk.
Opposite Bartosz Kurek and middle blocker Mateusz Bieniek led the hosts to victory in the second set as each of them scored four. The visitors, who beat Poland in the 2022 FIVB Nations League semifinal 3-0, were worthy opponents for the world champions for a long time. However, a simple mistake made by Joshua Tuaniga and a powerful service by Kurek allowed the Poles to take the lead 19-16.
Nikola Grbic’s side then kept up a strong pace to close the set. Tomasz Fornal made it 25-21 on the scoreboard with a good spike from left attack.
Poland captain Kurek didn’t slow the pace to put the hosts in front. The 34-year-old was unstoppable for the Americans to score seven points in the third set, including six attacks and one block. Grbic’s team built a safe advantage 13-8 and then they controlled the set.