Garcia showed some magnificent serving throughout the match and authored seven of the team’s 12 aces, the element that made the biggest difference towards the outcome of the game, as Slovenia produced only two direct serving points. USA also outperformed their opponents in net defense by 10-7 in kill blocks, with Garcia taking credit for four, and in attack by 53-49 in spike kills, with Garcia delivering 15 towards a match-high 26 points. Outside hitter Ethan Champlin chipped in with three aces and a kill block towards a 15-point tally, while Ewert finished with 13 points, all in swings.
“How can you not be pleased? We are staying alive, going to the next round. I think that’s kind of the heartbeat of this team, just find a way to win! It didn’t always look pretty tonight, but we got it done when it counted, and there is a ton of credit to the guys for staying mature, staying focused in those big moments,” USA’s star setter and captain Micah Christenson told VBTV. “They are playing lights out! It’s awesome just to be in the moment. We’ve got no expectations of getting to a certain place. We are just taking it day by day, so we are going to go and enjoy this tonight, and then, prepare for our next round.”