U.S. Volleyball Team Dominates Japanese

Steve Timmons, owner of a Vista-based beachwear company, was less than impressed with the fashion statement made by Japan’s national volleyball team this past weekend.

He wasn’t too impressed with how it played, either.

“I think the Japanese right now are probably as bad as their (green and black) uniforms,” Timmons said Saturday night after a United States sweep at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Japan switched back to its traditional red and black jerseys Sunday night, but again it was the United States that was dressed to kill.

Timmons, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had 19 kills to lead the United States to a 15-7, 15-7, 15-12 victory in a World League match in front of 3,113 at UC Irvine’s Bren Center.

Timmons’ assessment of Japan’s Sunday night duds?

“A different color,” said Timmons, a former Newport Harbor High standout, “but just as ugly.

“I think Japan played with a little more fire tonight. And we obviously need to work on some things, (such as) our team defense. We communicated tonight, instead of getting frustrated when Japan hit over our block.”

Which wasn’t very often.

The United States dominated at the net, led by Bryan Ivie’s 13 kills and eight blocks. Ivie was named the team’s most valuable player for the match.

Scott Fortune, a former Laguna Beach High standout and 1988 gold medalist, had 18 kills and Bob Ctvrtlik added 14 kills.

This was only the second match for the U.S. team since the return of Olympians Timmons, setter Jeff Stork, middle blocker Doug Partie and outside hitter Ctvrtlik, who have been playing professionally in Italy the past two years.

Their return has sparked the United States, 6-10 in the league last season, to a 2-0 start this season. Japan is 0-2.

“The problem we have had the past couple of years,” Ivie said, “is that we’ve had a lot of talent and not much experience. I think the young talent and the experience we have now is a good mix.”

Good enough, at least, to need only 1 hour 29 minutes to beat Japan, which will be the United States’ first opponent at the Olympics this summer in Barcelona, Spain.

The United States pulled away from a 7-7 tie with eight consecutive points to win the first game. Timmons had three kills and a block in the run and Japan committed four hitting errors.

Japan built a 5-0 lead in the second game. But the United States, with Ivie and Timmons taking over at the net, scored 15 of the next 17 points to take a two-game lead.

The United States went on a 9-4 run in the third game, rallying from an 8-6 deficit to win.

“I thought we showed good composure in Game 2,” U.S. Coach Fred Sturm said. “We were down, but we got control of the game. We had some good streaks offensively.”

Volleyball notes

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Craig Buck, who retired from the team Tuesday, is reconsidering at the request of Coach Fred Sturm. The two will meet today regarding his future. “Craig is one of the best players this country has produced,” Sturm said. “It’s his decision, and I respect what he thinks is the right thing to do.”

Middle blocker Bob Samuelson, who had 16 kills and four blocks Saturday night against Japan, sat out Sunday night’s match because of a thigh injury.

Japan was without its top player, outside hitter Yichi Nakagaichi, who was injured and didn’t make the trip to the United States. Masafumi Oura had 23 kills and was named Japan’s most valuable player for the match.

The United States’ next match will be on Friday against China at the San Diego Sports Arena.

United States 3, Japan 0

Japan 7 7 12 United States 15 15 15

KILL LEADERS--J: Oura 23; U.S.: Timmons 19, Fortune 18, Ctvrtlik 14, Ivie 13.