1 2 3 USA 21 24 23 BRA 25 26 25
U.S. Men End World League with Loss to Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (July 14, 2013) – The U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team ended its 2013 FIVB World League campaign with a 25-21, 26-24, 25-23 loss to Brazil on Sunday at the Maracanazinho arena in Rio de Janeiro.
From left, Kawika Shoji, Matt Anderson, Erik Shoji and Paul Lotman. (FIVB photo)
The U.S. Men finish World League pool play with a 4-6 record and in fifth place in Pool A. Brazil wins Pool A with a 9-1 record and will advance to the Final Round in Argentina. The U.S. struggled with 33 team errors, including 19 service errors on 69 attempts, while Brazil was charged with 22 team errors. The U.S. led in attacks (35-32) and blocks (7-5) while Brazil led in aces (6-4). “I was hoping we would play better tonight, but that was not the case,” U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said. “We just didn’t serve the ball on the court. If you have 28 percent service errors, you’re not going to beat too many teams, especially not good teams like Brazil.” U.S. opposite Carson Clark led all scorers with 17 points on 14 kills, one block and two aces. Middle blocker David Lee added six points on four attacks and a team-high two blocks.
Matt Anderson cheers for a great play. (FIVB photo)
Outside hitter Matt Anderson and setter Kyle Caldwell each finished with five points. Anderson scored on three kills and two aces. Caldwell scored on four attacks and a block. Outside hitter Paul Lotman started two sets and scored four points on four kills. Middle blocker Max Holt and outside hitter Garrett Muagututia each scored three points. Holt had three kills and Muagututia had two kills and one block. Middle blocker David Smith scored two points on one attack and one block. Setter Kawika Shoji had one point with a solo block. Shoji started the match at setter and was credited with nine running sets. Caldwell started the second and third sets and was credited with 11 running sets. The U.S. finished with a 40.7 kill percent and a .233 hitting efficiency. U.S. libero Erik Shoji (Honolulu) finished with five digs and six excellent receptions. Clark led the team in digs with six and Lotman led in receptions with seven. Wallace de Souza paced Brazil with 14 points. Luiz Felipe Marques Fonteles added 10 points.
28
The team stretches on the beach at Ipanema. (USAV photo)