After losing in five to France in its first match of the 2017 FIVB World League final round, the U.S. men's national team needed a victory over Serbia to avoid elimination. Thanks to a match-high 22 points from outside hitter Taylor Sander, the U.S. men did just that, taking down Serbia in four sets (25-22, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22) on Wednesday in Curitiba, Brazil.

The U.S. team now has four points, one from taking France to five and three for the victory over Serbia, so even if Serbia defeats France in the final match of final-round pool play, the Americans will still advance to the semifinals.



Sander hit an impressive .517 in the Serbia match, putting away 18 kills, three aces, and a block. Thomas Jaeschke, who was forced to sit out during the pool play rounds of World League due to injury, was second on the USA team with 14 points: 13 kills and an ace. Opposite Ben Patch started in three out of the four sets and led the team with three blocks.

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In the opposite pool, Canada earned a spot in the semifinal rounds thanks to a 3-0 sweep of Russia. Brazil and Russia will face off Thursday at 2:05 PM ET. Russia would need to defeat the Brazilians in three or four sets to advance. A match between Serbia and France will follow at 4:40 PM ET.

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