Shoji plays best defence in VNL 2019

Erik Shoji's consistency in reception and dig made him a valuable asset on the defensive end for the United States men's national team in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals, when they won a silver medal.

His defensive actions determined the team's performance, as the quality of his dig and reception influenced the quality of plays that were created for the hitters. He ranked in the Top 6 of the Best Receiver and Best Digger categories to be named to the Dream Team as Best Libero. He had an 18.03 per cent efficiency in reception and averaged 1.50 digs per set.

Shoji played college volleyball at Stanford University and began his professional career with CV Mitteldeutschland in 2012. He moved to Austrian club Hypo Tirol Innsbruck after one season, then went back to Germany to play for Berlin Recycling Volleys for two years. He played one season each for Lokomotiv Novosibirsk in Russia and Top Volley Latina in Italy, before his three-season stint with Fakel Novy Urengoy, when he won a 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship bronze.

Watch all of the United States' 2018 and 2019 VNL matches on Volleyball TV!

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Nations League
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