Averill helps Team USA to volleyball victory

Former University of Hawaii All-American middle blocker Taylor Averill scored eight points in his first start to help the U.S. Men’s National Team sweep host China 25-20, 26-24, 25-18 in a Volleyball Nations League match Sunday in Ningbo.

Taylor, one of three players with Hawaii ties who competed, had four kills, two aces and two blocks. Setting for the U.S. was Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani) with younger brother Erik (Punahou) as the libero.

Also on the roster is setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha), who did not play last week.

The U.S. finished the first weekend of VNL pool play at 3-0, defeating Argentina in five on Friday and Bulgaria in four on Saturday.

The Americans move on to Goiania, Brazil, where they will play Japan on Friday, Korea on Saturday and Brazil on Sunday.

Asing advances in Indonesia

Amid blustery wind conditions, Keanu Asing won his Round 2 heat over fellow Hawaii surfer Sebastian Zietz 8.47 to 8.00 on Sunday at the Corona Bali Protected, stop No. 5 on the World Surf League Championship tour in Keramas, Bali.

In 6- to 8-foot surf, Round 1 of the men’s competition finished and six elimination heats in Round 2 were completed before strong winds forced the competition to to be called for the day.

In his Round 1 heat, Zietz came in second to advance into Round 2, where he would fall to Asing. Barron Mamiya lost his second-round heat to Brazilian Italo Ferreira, 11.84 to 11.14.

Ezekiel Lau was the other Hawaii surfer into Round 2.

On the women’s side, Hawaii surfers awaiting their heats are Coco Ho, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Carissa Moore and Malia Manuel.

The event continues today, surf permitting.