USA to meet Brazil in VNL Semifinals

CHICAGO, United States, July 12, 2019 - USA defeated last year's tournament winners Russia 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-20) as the North Americans claimed a first victory against their opponents in the fourth encounter between the two teams in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

Both teams claimed victories against France in their opening matches in Pool A and Friday's encounter confirmed USA as the Pool A winners ahead of the semifinals on Saturday, when coach John Speraw's team will take on Olympic champions Brazil. Russia will play back-to-back world champions Poland in the other semifinal.

Thomas Jaeschke led USA with 13 points, followed by Matt Anderson with 9. Fedor Voronkov had 10 points for Russia.

The winners held the advantage in attacks (41-30), blocks (12-7) and serves (5-0). They committed 21 errors to 17 by Russia.