McKendree setter Nate Flayter delivered a career-best serving performance to help the United States earn its first win at an international tournament.
Flayter finished with a match-high seven aces as the United States defeated Canada 25-18, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18 at the NORECA Final Six on Tuesday in Puerto Rico.
The 2025 Division II National Player of the Year led all players with three aces in the opening game, including an ace to cap of a 6-1 run midway through the game. Flayter also had an ace in the final game to help the United States secure the pool-play victory.
This is the most aces in a match for Flayter since starting his college career. The junior the last two seasons with McKendree never had more than aces in a match.
Along with the offensive performance, Flayter guided the U.S. offense to out-hit Canada .244 to negative-.054.
The United States limited Canada to a negative attack percentage in three games highlighted with a match-worst negative-.192 attack percentage in the second game.
Hawai’i middle attacker Justin Todd finished with a match-high five blocks against Canada.
Todd also led all players with nine kills on a .667 attack percentage, including a game-high four kills in the third game. The middle attacker ended with one attack error and did not commit an error in the final three games.
BYU outside attacker Trent Moser added nine kills, while Hawai’i opposite Kainoa Wade had eight kills.
Canada pin-hitter Liam Pauls in the loss had both a team-high seven kills four aces.
The United States finished with 14 aces – two more aces than Canada.
The Canadian roster for this tournament is comprised of the Brandon University men’s volleyball. The Bobcats were selected to represent the nation at the Final Six after winning the Canadian collegiate men’s volleyball national championship last season.