Serbia is too much for U.S. in men’s volleyball

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The U.S. men’s national volleyball team was simply outmatched today against Serbia after Ivan Milijkovic collected 16 points on 16 kills to lead his team past the Americans, 25-23, 25-19, 25-17, in an FIVB World League final round match in Rio de Janeiro.

The U.S. men, whose 9-3 record got them to the final round, now must defeat Poland on Thursday (9:15 a.m. PDT) to have a chance at a medal match.

Clay Stanley of Honolulu led the U.S. with 10 points on eight kills and two blocks. David Lee of Alpine, Calif., scored seven points on four kills, two blocks and the only ace scored in the match.

Marko Podrascanin took care of the defense for Serbia with a match-high five blocks. Serbia, which had 13 blocks in the match compared to just five for the U.S., converted 48% of its kill attempts to points.

Among the Southern Californians who scored in the match were Ryan Millar of Palmdale, who had five points on four kills and one block, and Gabe Gardner of San Clemente, with one point on one kill.

Libero Rich Lambourne of Tustin was credited with nine digs on 14 attempts and 14 “excellent” receptions with no faults on 27 attempts.

-- Debbie Goffa