Brazil defeats USA at home in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Nebraska, June 6, 2019 – The U.S. Women’s National Team lost to Brazil 25-19, 25-17, 22-25, 25-20 Thursday evening to conclude its FIVB Volleyball Nations League homestand in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Gabriela Guimaraes led Brazil with 26 points with 24 kills on 37 attempts, one block and an ace. Ana Paula Bedani added 13 and Amanda Francisco chipped in with 10 points.

Opposite Annie Drews led Team USA with 19 points with 16 kills on 38 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Middle Dana Rettke added 13 kills on 21 attacks, three blocks and an ace for 17 points.

The Americans, now 7-2 overall with 21 points, return to the road next week in Jiangmen, China, where they will face three teams all in the top six of the current rankings. The U.S., in third place, plays tournament-leader and 2018 VNL runner-up Turkey (8-1, 24 points) on June 11 followed by fifth place Poland (7-2, 20 points) on June 12. Both matches are at 4 a.m. ET. Team USA concludes the week in China against the host country (7-2, 20 points) on June 13 at 8 a.m. ET.

“First of all, Brazil just beat us,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “They played a really solid match tonight. They passed at a very high level. They out-passed us, out-served us. They played really disciplined defense. My hats off to them on playing a really strong volleyball match.”