Photo by: FIVB
Hawks, Kelly, Taliaferro Earn Bronze at FIVB U21 World Championships
August 31, 2025 | Men's Volleyball
JIANGMEN, China – The United States U21 Men's National Team secured a historic bronze medal at the FIVB U21 World Championships on Sunday. Led by UCLA head coach John Hawks and players Sean Kelly and Trent Taliaferro, Team USA beat Czechia 3-0 to secure third place in the tournament.
Sunday's win over Czechia earns the United States U21 team its first-ever medal at a U21 World Championships, men's or women's.
The United States finished 8-1 overall at the tournament and dominated pool A play. The U21 team swept pool play, going 5-0 en route to a berth in the round of 16.
To begin pool A play the U.S. swept Thailand, beat Türkiye and Egypt in five sets, and took down the hosts China in four sets. Team USA wrapped up pool play with their second sweep of pool play, this time a 3-0 win over Morocco.
As for the round of 16, the U.S. continued its dominant play, taking down Bulgaria in straight sets, 3-0. The U21 squad then took on France in the quarterfinal round. Kelly, who captained the United States the entire tournament, led the team with 20 kills and a block in the match, as the U.S. took down the French in five sets, 3-2.
In the semifinals, the Americans dropped their only match of the tournament, 3-0, to Iran. The United States then rallied in the third-place match, securing its third sweep of the tournament and the bronze medal in the process.
For the tournament, Kelly finished as the 19th-best scorer overall. He accumulated 119 points, 104 kills, 10 blocks, and five service aces throughout the championships. In four of his nine appearances at the tournament, Kelly had at least 19 points. Kelly had 21 points (20 kills) in the quarterfinal win over France, and had a tournament-high 22 points (20 kills) in the pool A play win over Türkiye.
Taliaferro made two starts at setter in the tournament. He paced the USA's offense to wins over Morocco and China, totaling 107 successful sets, three blocks, and added a service ace in the win over Morocco.
Sunday's win over Czechia earns the United States U21 team its first-ever medal at a U21 World Championships, men's or women's.
The United States finished 8-1 overall at the tournament and dominated pool A play. The U21 team swept pool play, going 5-0 en route to a berth in the round of 16.
To begin pool A play the U.S. swept Thailand, beat Türkiye and Egypt in five sets, and took down the hosts China in four sets. Team USA wrapped up pool play with their second sweep of pool play, this time a 3-0 win over Morocco.
As for the round of 16, the U.S. continued its dominant play, taking down Bulgaria in straight sets, 3-0. The U21 squad then took on France in the quarterfinal round. Kelly, who captained the United States the entire tournament, led the team with 20 kills and a block in the match, as the U.S. took down the French in five sets, 3-2.
In the semifinals, the Americans dropped their only match of the tournament, 3-0, to Iran. The United States then rallied in the third-place match, securing its third sweep of the tournament and the bronze medal in the process.
For the tournament, Kelly finished as the 19th-best scorer overall. He accumulated 119 points, 104 kills, 10 blocks, and five service aces throughout the championships. In four of his nine appearances at the tournament, Kelly had at least 19 points. Kelly had 21 points (20 kills) in the quarterfinal win over France, and had a tournament-high 22 points (20 kills) in the pool A play win over Türkiye.
Taliaferro made two starts at setter in the tournament. He paced the USA's offense to wins over Morocco and China, totaling 107 successful sets, three blocks, and added a service ace in the win over Morocco.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
S
/ Men's VolleyballHighlights - Men's Volleyball vs. Hawai'i, NCAA Semifinals (May 10, 2025)
Sunday, May 11
Highlights - Men's Volleyball vs. Belmont Abbey, NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals (May 8, 2025)
Thursday, May 08
Men’s Volleyball - NCAA Travel Day Vlog ft. Matthew Aziz
Wednesday, May 07
Highlights - UCLA Men's Volleyball vs. #5 USC (4/17/25)
Friday, April 18