The U.S. men’s volleyball team fell to Thailand, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23 on Wednesday at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China, and lost the chance to play for a medal.The U.S. Team finishes pool play at 3-2 and in third place in Pool D. The Czech Republic won the pool at 5-0 and Thailand was second at 4-1. The U.S. will now play for ninth-16th place. It will start against Japan at midnight PT on Friday.Thailand scored 35 points off U.S. errors while committing 18. The … [Read more...]
Loss to Thailand drops U.S. spikers out of medal contention
Menzel, U.S. closing in on WUG playoff berth
Jeff Menzel continued to stand out as the U.S. National men's volleyball team split its most recent two pool play matches at the World University Games.Menzel led the way with 28 points on 23 kills and five blocks as Team USA dropped a thrilling 23-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-27, 15-13 decision to the Czech Republic on Monday. It was the first loss of the tournament for the Americans.On Tuesday, the recent UCSB grad had eight points on five kills, one block and a pair of service aces as the … [Read more...]
Menzel powers U.S. past Turkey in 2nd WUG match
UCSB volleyball All-American Jeff Menzel has played a key part in each of Team USA's first two wins at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China. After pacing the U.S. squad with 15 kills and a .407 hitting percentage in a 3-0 tournament-opening win over Mexico, Menzel was at it again in a 25-18, 25-9, 25-20 domination of Turkey on Saturday. For the second straight match, Menzel led Team USA with nine kills and a hitting percentage of .533. He also had one block and a service ace and … [Read more...]
Menzel powers U.S. to sweep in WUG opener
Santa Barbara’s Jeff Menzel has carried over his solid play from the NCAA postseason into international volleyball competition.In the opening match at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China, Menzel pounded a match-high 15 kills and hit .407 to lead the United States to a 25-17, 25-23, 25-15 sweep over Mexico.Menzel, one of 12 current or recently graduated college men’s volleyball players selected to represent the United States at the tournament, led UCSB to the NCAA … [Read more...]
Menzel on U.S. volleyball team for World University Games
UCSB graduate Jeff Menzel has been named to the 12-man USA Volleyball team roster for the World University Games.Menzel, who led the Gauchos to the NCAA Final this spring, leaves for Japan on Monday for a week of training before heading to Shenzhen, China for the competition.He’s been training with the A2 USA National Team in Anaheim since the end of May and competed with that team at the Pan American Cup in Canada in June. The team took a silver medal after losing to Brazil in the … [Read more...]
Gauchos take down USC, earn trip to Final Four

LOS ANGELES — UCSB’s seniors refused to lose.As a result, the Gauchos are going to the NCAA Final Four at Penn State.UCSB’s senior-laden men’s volleyball team rallied from a 2-1 deficit and upset No. 1-ranked USC in the MPSF Tournament Final on Saturday night at the Galen Center. The scores were 20-25, 25-23, 21-23, 25-18, 16-14.The win sends the Gauchos to their first Final Four since 1988. USC will join them there as the regular season champion of the MPSF. Penn State and … [Read more...]
