U.S. Defeats USSR to Win World Volleyball Championship
The United States, led by Steve Timmons and Karch Kiraly, won the 1986 World Men’s Volleyball Championship Sunday in Paris, defeating six-time titlist Soviet Union 12-15, 15-11, 15-8, 15-12.
It was the first world championship for the United States, which won the gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. The United States was 13th in the last world championships in 1982.
Timmons, a 28-year-old from Newport Beach, led the team with his smashes and blocks, while Kiraly, 25, from Santa Barbara, was invaluable with his all-around play and defense.
They jumped to a quick 5-2 lead in the fourth set with Bob Ctvrtlik hitting some key spikes and held the margin to take the title.
The Soviets and Americans have now met eight times this year. The series stands at 4-4 with the Americans winning the USA Cup in August and the Soviets the Goodwill Games in July.
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