On Friday, the U.S. women's national team lost to Brazil in four sets in the Volleyball Nations League in Rio de Janeiro, falling to 1-2.
Brazil won 3-0, 25-22, 25-16, 18-25, 25-19.
Brazil plays Serbia on Saturday, while the Americans get a day off after playing three games in three days. The United States completed its first round of the tournament against the Dominican Republic on Sunday.
Brazil's Gabriela “Gabi” Guimarães had 21 kills, two aces and one block to go with eight digs in front of a raucous crowd of 9,119 at Maracanandinho Arena. This is the first time Brazil has defeated the United States since 2019.
Ana Cristina Souza added 12 kills and an ace, and Rosamaria Montiverar had 10 kills and one block. Brazil hit .270 with four service aces and five service errors.
Veteran Jordan Larson led the USA with 15 kills, one block, an ace and 10 digs. Avery Skinner, who played the last two sets, and Ali Franti, who played the first two sets, had eight kills and one block each. Brion Butler had two kills, five blocks and an ace, and Chiaka Ogbogu had six kills and two blocks. Libero Justin Wong-Orantes scored 12 goals.
The U.S. had five aces and 13 errors, posting a batting average of .210.
In the three games held in Antalya and Turkiye on Friday, Japan defeated Germany, Poland defeated France, and Italy defeated Bulgaria, all with overwhelming victories.
In other games in Rio, Serbia defeated Thailand and Canada defeated China with four wins. Canada's Keira Van Ryck had 25 kills and two aces, and former BYU standout Alexa Gray had 19 kills and two aces.
On Saturday in Turkiye, Poland will play the Netherlands, France will play Bulgaria and Italy will play the home team.
In Rio, Serbia will play China, South Korea will play the Dominican Republic, and Thailand will play Canada.
All matches will be available on Volleyball World TV. Click here for schedule and viewing links.
