Lewis outside Petty serves big for US in sweep of Honduras

It didn’t take long for Lewis outside attacker Greg Petty to make a name for himself from the serving line at a top international tournament.

Petty had a match-high five aces as the United States swept Honduras 25-12, 25-12, 25-16 in its pool-play opener at the NORCECA Men’s Junior Continental Championship on Monday in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Petty was one of five U.S. players with an ace in its preliminary match victory. Pepperdine setter Matt West also had two aces — the only other player with multiple aces — and the United Stated finished the match with nine aces.

Along with the aces, Petty had six kills and two blocks in the victory.

Incoming freshman Ohio State outside attacker Michael Henchy came off the bench midway through the third game and ended with a match-high seven kills. In addition, Pepperdine outside attacker Matthew Tarantino added six kills before being pulled after the second game.

The United States also out-blocked Honduras 11-5 in the victory.

Honduras only lead of the match came early third game when it won three of the four first points of the game. However, the United States overcame the two-point deficit with a 15-6 run and completed the sweep.

After opening the second game on a 5-0 run, the United States won its second consecutive game by double-digit points.

The United States in its 13-point opening game victory had five blocks and held Honduras to a negative attack percentage. In addition, Tarantino had a game-high four kills while Harvard outside attacker DJ White added three kils.

With this victory, the United States is tied for first place in Pool A with Mexico. Mexico swept St. Vincent in its pool play opener on Monday.

The United States will continue the pool-play round against St. Vincent at 7:30 p.m. (EST) Tuesday. If the United States wins this match it will clinch a quarterfinals berth.