COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The U.S. women’s volleyball team lost to top-ranked Brazil 25-16, 25-20, 25-18, 20-25, 15-8 Saturday night in an exhibition that was predetermined to go to five sets to evaluate players for the Olympics.
The fourth-ranked United States dropped two of three matches against Brazil in the series. The final match was played at the Air Force Academy’s Clune Arena.
“We played all the players available over this three-match exhibition and had a chance to evaluate them,” U.S. coach Lang Ping said. “Overall, it was pretty positive. Tonight, we moved to a different gym, different court and different ball. We played a lot of young players, and the passing was not as good as the previous two matches. That led to problems on our attack.
“We did not play well, but we have learned from it and will get better for the Olympic games as a result.”
The United States and Brazil qualified for the Olympics at the 2007 FIVB World Cup. Brazil finished with the silver medal and the United States took the bronze.
Ogonna Nnamani led the U.S. with 16 points through 14 kills and two blocks on Saturday night. Paula Pequeno had 17 points, coming on 10 kills, two aces and five blocks for Brazil.
“It was very important for us to play against the United States in these exhibition matches,” Brazil coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes said. “They have a very good dynamic team. We were able to play 15 sets this week, and it was a good way to see how we will play for the World Grand Prix.”
Both teams will compete in the 12-team FIVB World Grand Prix from June 20-July 13.
Before this exhibition, the U.S. women had not played at home against international competition since May 26, 2006, when the team faced Poland in Chicago.
