The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team used 19 points from Sean Rooney to defeat Italy on Friday, 3-1 (25-21, 30-28, 21-25, 25-21) in an FIVB World League match in Florence.  The U.S. Men improve their record to 2-1 in Group A. Italy falls to 1-2. The two teams will play again on Sunday at 9 a.m. PDT in Catania.

David Lee (a Long Beach State alum) scored 12 points on four kills, six blocks and two aces.

“We played with great intensity,” U.S. Head Coach Alan Knipe (currently on leave from Long Beach State) said in an FIVB press release. “On receiving skills, we played a great game. Italy had great players. Gavotto and Savani played a great game. It was a match we could have gone to the tie break.”

As a team, the U.S. Men were credited with 54 serve receptions, including 32 “excellent,” on 80 attempts.