Clark, Sander help Team USA advance in World League volleyball

Former UC Irvine All-American Carson Clark and Huntington Beach resident Taylor Sander helped lead the United States men’s national volleyball team to a 26-31, 25-17, 27-25, 25-20 victory over Poland on Sunday in Lodz, Poland to help the Americans qualify for the final round of the Federation Internationale de Volleyball World League tournament.

Clark, an opposite who was a four-time All-American for the Anteaters, was named MVP of the match with 12 points on 12 kills.

Sander, an outside hitter, had 17 points on 10 kills and added four blocks and three aces to help Team USA move on to the final round, July 4-8 in Curibita, Brazil.

Former UCI All-American David Smith and Huntington Beach High product TJ DeFalco, also contributed for the Americans, who opened World League with three straight losses.

In the latest round in Poland, Team USA topped Italy, Russia and Iran, as well as Poland to finish sixth in pool play, nabbing the last qualifying spot in the final round.

Smith, a two-time Olympian, had 11 points on six kills from his middle blocker position. He also chipped in three aces and two blocks.

Clark had 12 kills against Russia, while Sander added 10. DeFalco, the National Player of the Year as a sophomore at Long Beach State last season, had two kills against Russia.

Dan McDonnell, another former UCI All-American, was a reserve middle blocker for Team USA, coached by former UCI head man John Speraw.

Matt Fuerbringer, an Estancia High product, is an assistant coach for Team USA.

barry.faulkner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5