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The U.S. Boys Youth National Volleyball Team, with Punahou graduate Micah Ma’a at setter and incoming Hawaii freshman Joe Worsley at libero, fell to defending world champion Russia 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship in Argentina.
It was the first loss of the tournament for the Americans (5-1), who will play Brazil on Saturday in the consolation semifinals. The U.S. had never advanced to the quarterfinals and is guaranteed at least an eighth-place finish.
Ma’a, who is headed to UCLA, had two kills, two aces and a block, while Worsley added two digs. Ma’a continues to be one of the best servers, with 23 aces, ranking him No. 2, and is tied for sixth among setters, averaging 6.17 aps. Worsley is No. 6 among the top diggers with 52.