The block stepped up to deliver the first win for the United States at the FIVB U19 World Championship.
Hawai’i commit Roman Payne finished with a match-high six blocks as the United States defeated Cuba 17-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21 in pool-play Friday in Uzbekistan.
Payne had half of the eight U.S. blocks during the third game and helped limit Cuba to a negative attack percentage in that game. In addition, the United States for the match had 15 blocks – 11 more blocks than Cuba.
Along with the defensive performance, Payne had six kills and zero errors on a .750 attack percentage. The middle attacker also had an ace and a block as part of a match-ending 8-2 run to help the United States erase a 19-17 deficit in the fourth game.
Long Beach State commit Lucas Helle guided the offense to out-hit Cuba .333 to .196, including the team hitting a match-best .476 in the second game.
Pepperdine outside attacker Grant Lamoureux led all players with 13 kills and four aces. Lamoureux opened the match with 10 combined kills in the first two games and was the only U.S. player to finish with double-digit kills.
UCLA commit Elan Taylor added eight kills, while UC Santa Barbara commit William Dryden had six kills and zero errors on a match-best .857 attack percentage.
Cuba pin-hitter Yosdani Medina Torriente in the loss finished with a team-high 12 kills.
This victory comes a day after the United States lost to Finland in its tournament opener. The win moves the United States into fourth place in the pool-play with three remaining pool-play matches.
The top four teams in the six-team pool at the end pool-play will advance to the Round of 16.