Long Beach representatives at the Tokyo Summer Olympics are already putting up some impressive statistics.
USA men’s volleyball has won two of its first three matches as part of Pool B and have tough games coming up against Brazil and Argentina this weekend. Long Beach State alum TJ DeFalco had a phenomenal performance in the 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23 win over Tunisia last night. DeFalco had a game-high 21 kills to go with a pair of blocks and a service ace. He has 37 kills in three matches.
Long Beach State Alums DeFalco, Ensing Tokyo-Bound With Olympic Volleyball Team
Long Beach natives Hannes Daube (pictured) and Max Irving have both contributed to the USA men’s water polo team opening Group A competition with a pair of victories over Japan and South Africa. They both scored a goal and dished out an assist in the comeback 15-13 win over Japan last weekend.
Japan led 10-9 in the middle of the third quarter when the Americans went on a 3-0 run to take the lead. Daube tied the game 10-10 with 3:26 led in the third quarter, and Irving scored the first goal of the fourth quarter to make it 12-10. Irving, a Wilson High alum, scored twice and had an assist in the 20-3 blowout win over South Africa earlier this week, and Daube added another goal.
Team USA continued Group A completion against Italy yesterday and will play Hungary on Friday.
Feature: USA Water Polo Reloads With Long Beach’s Next Generation
Long Beach State product Suzanna Brookshire drove in a run for Mexico in the bronze medal game but Canada scored late to win 3-2. She has four hits, three runs scored, three walks and two RBIs in six Olympic contests.
Sailor and Long Beach native Riley Gibbs is competing in the Nacra 17 class and gets started today. The event continues Thursday, and the medal rounds are Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday.
Long Beach sent 17 athletes and coaches with local ties to the Tokyo Olympics. One, Taylor Crabb, was scratched from men’s beach volleyball when he tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Tokyo.
Seventeen From Long Beach Prepare For Tokyo Olympics This Week
