Photo: USA Volleyball
Palisades High junior volleyball player Akhil Tangutur had the experience of a lifetime June 6-10 at the NORCECA U19 Championships in Costa Rica, where he helped lead the U.S. Boys’ Youth National Team to the silver medal.
Tangutur, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, started in the final against Cuba and had five kills. He tied for ninth in scoring in the tournament and was fourth in kills with a 47.83 success percentage. By making it to the final, the U.S. also qualified for the 2019 FIVB World Championships. Puerto Rico beat Guatemala for the bronze medal.
The U.S. opened pool play by sweeping Guatemala and Honduras before falling to Cuba in three sets. The U.S. rebounded to sweep Nicaragua in the quarterfinals, then ousted Puerto Rico in the semifinals to earn a finals rematch with Cuba, which again prevailed, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20.
The U.S. finished with the most kills of any team in the tournament and also ranked first in receiving percentage at 50.34. The Americans were coached by UCLA men’s volleyball assistant Brad Keller.
Tangutur had a stellar season at Palisades and was named City Player of the Year after leading the Dolphins to their second straight Open Division crown, the semifinals of the CIF Southern California Regionals and a top-five state ranking. Tangutur led the team in kills and hitting percentage.
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