Samuelson Leads U. S. Past Japan

Bob Samuelson bowled ‘em over with his serve, Javier Gaspar and Allen Allen tumbled into the stands but returned in time for the ensuing kill attempt, and the U.S. men’s national volleyball team ended a two-match losing streak.

The 7-15, 15-12, 15-13, 16-14 triumph over Japan drew a boisterous, standing-room-only crowd of 3,065 Friday night at Matador Gymnasium.

“That’s the best crowd I’ve ever seen at Northridge--for anything,” said Samuelson, a 1989 CSUN graduate who contributed 23 kills and a team-high 14 digs in a spectacular homecoming.

The U. S., which finished a disappointing 13th in the recent world championships, staved off five game points in the fourth game. Allen and Kral Ferch, who both came off the bench late in the game, were instrumental in the rally.

Japan took leads of 4-0, 9-1 and 13-4 before winning the first game, 15-7. The tallest player on the Japanese team, 6-foot-8 Masayuki Izumikawa, led the visitors’ attack with four kills.

The U.S. started slowly but picked up steam behind Samuelson, who had four kills and a block.

Japan gained early leads of 3-1, 7-2 and 9-4 in the second game. A timeout by interim Coach Jim Coleman put the United States back on track. With Samuelson delivering a powerful jump serve, the Americans scored three points in a row, an unusual feat in a match dominated by sideouts.

Three sideouts later, the U.S. scored on a service ace by Parker Blackman. A sideout later, Gaspar’s ace serve tied the score, 9-9. A long hit by Japan gave the U.S. its first lead of the match at 10-9. Japan tied it twice, but after 14 sideouts, the U.S. scored the final three points in succession with Samuelson serving.

Japan jumped out to a lead in Game 3. The U.S. crept within 6-4, then scored eight points between a series of sideouts to lead, 12-6.

Japan tied it at 13, but a dump by Gaspar and a hitting error by Japan gave the U.S. the win.

Japan ran out to a 10-3 lead in Game 4, but the U.S. rallied to stave off the Japanese at 14-10 to win it 16-14.