U.S. woes continue at U21 Worlds, lose again to Czech Republic

Photo courtesy of the FIVB

Another team-best offensive performance from Dillon Klein, and yet another U.S. loss at the FIVB U21 World Championship.

The USC outside attacker finished with a match-high 13 kills on a .444 attack percentage as the United States lost to the Czech Republic 25-19, 25-16, 25-17 on Wednesday in Bahrain.

This was the third consecutive match Klein finished with double-digit kills for the United States, which suffered its fifth straight loss and remains winless in tournament play. In addition, Klein has now led the United States in kills in back-to-back matches.

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The Czech Republic out-hit the United States .389 to .202 en route to its second win against the United States in four days.

Klein was one of three U.S. players with at least five kills in the loss. Ohio State opposite Shane Wetzel added six kills, while UCLA outside attacker Zach Rama had five kills.

Both Wentzel and Rama, though, hit less than .100.

David Kollator led the Czech Republic with 12 kills on a .370 attack percentage. Jiri Benda also had nine kills to help the Czech Republic secure a berth to the ninth-place semifinals.

The United States will conclude pool-play against Mexico on Thursday. Both the United States and Mexico are two of the three remaining winless teams at the tournament and have already been relegated to the 13th-place semifinals.