After a day off, the Americans play Poland, which advanced with a victory over Slovenia. The USA-Poland match is at 4 p.m. local, followed by Italy vs. France at 8 p.m.
Ageless opposite Matt Anderson led the USA with 17 kills and three blocks. He had two errors in 28 attacks and hit .536. TJ DeFalco had 15 kills and a block to go with 11 digs. Max Holt had nine kills — hitting. 692 — with two blocks and two aces and Aaron Russell had 11 kills. Thomas Jaeschke, who came in for Russell and gave the team a huge spark on both offense and defense, had five kills.
“Aaron’s my best friend and I hate coming in for him, but … ” Jaeschke said. “It was a good team effort and I was fortunate enough to come in and help the team.”
Taylor Averill had six kills — five in the fourth set — two blocks and an ace. Thre-time Olympic libero Erik Shoji led with 14 digs.
“Three good sets and one we need to get better at,” Shoji said. “A great win.”
The USA trailed 13-8 in the first set, taking its first lead at 22-21 before battling to the win. In the second, however, the Americans were up 18-12 when Brazil turned the table. The USA was still ahead 24-22 but could not hold on.
The Americans showed resiliency, “but it’s kind of self inflicted,” Shoji offered. “We come out that first set and win but then let things go a little bit. The quarterfinals of the Olympics, these things are going to happen. I think it’s the greatest day of volleyball in the history of the sport and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Matt Anderson was fired up after a big point against Brazil/FIVB photo
Anderson, the four-time Olympian, had five of his kills in the fourth set.
“Matt Anderson had his best match,” USA coach John Speraw said. “While the team did not have its best match of the tournament, Matt did.”
“It was our goal and continues to be our goal to play for a gold medal and we believe we’re a good enough team to do that,” Anderson said.
The USA won bronze in Rio in 2016, but failed to advance to the Tokyo Olympics quarterfinals. In this tournament, the Americans went 3-0 in pool play with wins over Argentina, Germany and Japan.
“That was not an easy match,” Speraw said. “We did not play our best volleyball of the tournament … when you have a match in this tournament when you don’t play that well and win it’s something to build off of. I’m excited to have a day off and start preparing for what’s next.”
Alan Souza led Brazil with 14 kills and two blocks. Ricardo Lucarelli had 12 kills, two blocks and an ace. Flavio Resende had eight kills and three blocks and Lucas Saatkamp had seven kills.
Micah Christenson sets the quick for Max Holt against Brazil/FIVB photo
PARIS — The USA men are back in the Olympics volleyball semifinals.