Jablonsky helps U.S. win again

BANGKOK, Thailand — Former UC Irvine All-American Jayson Jablonsky posted a team-high 10 kills to lead the U.S. men’s volleyball team to a 25-19, 25-20, 25-22 sweep of Chinese Taipai Monday to conclude pool play undefeated at the World University Games.

Jablonsky, the 2006 National and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year who helped lead the Anteaters to the NCAA Final Four two straight seasons, including the program’s first championship last year, took advantage of his first start of the tournament.

Jablonsky’s 10 points shared the team lead for the Americans, who went 5-0 in Pool C and qualified for the playoffs.

Brian Thornton and David Smith, a pair of former UCI All-Americans, also started and played well in the victory. Thornton earned special praise from Coach Alan Knipe for his work running the offense.

Knipe is familiar with the former Anteaters’ skills, having competed against them in the MPSF as the head coach at Long Beach State.

Team USA will face Ukraine in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

— From staff reports