Crowd Cheers Brazil to Win over U.S. Women in 2024 VNL

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 17, 2024) – Riding the loud cheers from the crowd, Brazil beat the U.S. Women’s National Team on Friday, 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 18-25, 25-19) in a Volleyball Nations League (VNL) preliminary match in Rio de Janeiro.

The U.S. Women (1-2) will finish their first round of VNL preliminary matches on at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday against the Dominican Republic (1-2).

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A crowd of more than 9,000 filled the Maracanazinho to watch the rematch of the Tokyo 2020 gold medal match. Brazil beat the U.S. Women for the first time in five years.

MATCH STATISTICS

Outside hitter Jordan Larson led the U.S. scoring with 17 points on 15 kills, one block and one ace. But no other U.S. player scored in double figures.

“Playing Brazil in Brazil; it’s an honor to play in a country that loves volleyball this much,” said U.S. setter Jordyn Poulter, who scored four points. “We’re still trying to figure things out. We use VNL a lot differently than other countries do. We’re trying to be good in two months, not necessarily put it all together right now.”

The U.S. Women led Brazil in blocks (14-11) and aces (5-4). Brazil led in kills (54-50) and scored 24 points on U.S. errors while committing just 13.

The U.S. could not slow down Brazil’s outside hitter Gabi Guimaraes, who finished with 24 points.

Outside hitter Ali Frantti started the first two sets and scored nine points, including eight kills. In the third, Avery Skinner took over and also scored nine points, including eight kills.

Middle blocker Brionne Butler scored eight points, including a match-high five blocks. Middle Chiaka Ogbogu also had eight points, including two blocks.

Opposite Danielle Cuttino started the first two sets and scored six points, including two blocks. Madi Skinner started the final two sets at opposite and also scored six points.

Outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons played as a substitute and scored one point. Middle Anna Stevenson Hall started the third set and scored one point, but had to leave after being hit in the head by an attack.

U.S. Women’s Preliminary Roster for 2024 VNL
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)

2 Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois, Rocky Mountain)
3 Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky and Baylor, Lone Star)
4 Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska, Southern California)
5 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
7 Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
8 Brionne Butler (MB, 6-4, Kendleton, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
9 Madisen Skinner (OH, 6-2, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky and Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
10 Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Univ. of Nebraska, Great Plains)
13 Sarah Wilhite Parsons (OH, 6-2, Eden Prairie, Minn., Univ. of Minnesota, North Country)
14 Anna Stevenson Hall (MB, 6-2, Laurens S.C., Univ. of Louisville, Palmetto)
17 Zoe Fleck (L, 5-6, Granada Hills, Calif., UCLA and Univ. of Texas, Southern California)
20 Danielle Cuttino (Opp, 6-4, Indianapolis, Ind., Purdue, Hoosier)
24 Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)
37 Kayla Haneline (MB, 6-3, Plattsmouth, Neb., Northern Iowa, Great Plains)

Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Tama Miyashiro
Second Assistant Coaches: Marv Dunphy, Alfee Reft, Erin Virtue
Performance Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Team Doctor: Lori Boyajian-O’Neill, William Briner, James Suchy
Consultant Coaches: Sue Enquist, Katy Stanfill
Team Manager: Coley Pawlikowski
Sports Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel
General Managers: Peter Vint and John Crawley

U.S. Women’s Schedule for the 2024 Volleyball Nations League
Matches will be shown live and on-demand on VolleyballWorld.tv
(All times PDT)

Week 1 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
May 15 USA def Thailand 3-1 (25-22, 19-25, 25-12, 25-18)
May 16 China def USA 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-19)
May 17 Brazil def USA 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 18-25, 25-19)
May 19 at 10 a.m. USA vs Dominican Republic

Week 2 in Arlington, Texas
May 28 at 5:30 p.m. USA vs Canada
May 31 at 6 p.m. USA vs Bulgaria
June 1 at 2:30 p.m. USA vs Poland
June 2 at 1 p.m. USA vs Türkiye

Week 3 in Fukuoka, Japan
June 10 at 11:30 p.m. USA vs France
June 12 at 8 p.m. USA vs Netherlands
June 14 at 11:30 p.m. USA vs Italy
June 16 at 2:45 a.m. USA vs Japan

Final Round: June 20-23 in Bangkok, Thailand.