U.S. wins World League title
The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, with two players from Hawaii in key starting roles, upset No. 1 Brazil 31-29, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23 for the FIVB World League title on Sunday in Florence, Italy.
Setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha, USC) had 39 assists, two aces and two blocks. Libero Erik Shoji (Punahou, Stanford) had 12 digs. Shoji’s older brother, Kawika (‘Iolani, Stanford), appeared as a serving specialist in Set 1.
It was the second gold medal in World League for the U.S., the first since 2008. The only other time the U.S. advanced to the championship was in 2012. when the Americans earned silver.
Italy won the bronze medal after defeating Iran in straight sets 25-22, 25-18, 25-22.
Baxter wins SUP event in Germany
Maui’s Connor Baxter dominated Sunday’s long-distance race to secure the overall title of the Camp David World Cup of SUP on Sunday in Fehmarn, Germany.
Baxter was second in Saturday’s Stand Up World Series sprint race. The Camp David event was the third stop on the SUP world tour and the second tour win for Baxter.
Competitors Sunday battled winds gusting up to 25 knots on a triangle course.
Maui’s Zane Schweitzer was fourth in the sprints and third in the distance race to finish fourth overall. Maui’s Kai Lenny won Saturday’s sprint race, was fourth in the distance race and placed second overall.
Baxter, Lenny and Schweitzer are 1-2-3 in the overall World Series rankings.
Sigall to speak at Quarterback Club
Hawaii Pacific marketing professor Bob Sigall will be Monday’s featured speaker at the Honolulu Quarterback Club.
Sigall, the author of "The Companies We Keep," will share pictures depicting Hawaii’s history and speak about the upcoming fourth installment of his series.
The program at Maple Garden Restaurant begins at noon with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon costs $15.