UC Irvine Olympic Central
LONDON – The U.S. Men's Volleyball Team lost to No. 2 Russia. 3-2 (27-29, 19-25, 26-24, 25-16, 15-8) on Saturday in a Pool B match during the Olympic Games at London's Earls Court.
The U.S., the No. 5 team in the world and defending Olympic Games champions, held a match point in the third set before falling to the Russians. Team USA goes to 3-1 in Pool B with 10 standings points heading into its final preliminary match against winless Tunisia (0 points, 0-4) on Monday at noon PT. The Americans, who had its 11-match Olympic Games win streak dating back to the 2008 Beijing Games snapped, can still win Pool B with either a three- or four-set victory over Tunisia.
Russia improves to 3-1 in Pool B with eight points to move into second place two points behind the U.S. Brazil (6 points, 2-1), which plays Serbia later tonight, can move into second place with a three- or four-set victory. Earlier in pool play the U.S. defeated Brazil, which defeated Russia causing the top three teams to have one loss each. Although the USA, Russia and Brazil have the possibility of all finishing 4-1 in pool play, the first criteria on pool seeding into the quarterfinals is standings points. By reaching the fifth set against Russia, the U.S. picked up an important standing point.
David Smith, a former UCI All-American, was a sub in the first, third and fourth sets.
Earlier today in Pool B Germany (5 points, 2-2) evened its record with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-16 victory over Tunisia (0 points, 0-4). Later today Brazil (6 points, 2-1) faces Serbia (4 points, 1-2) at 2 p.m. PT. In Pool A, Poland (9 points, 3-1) topped host Great Britain (0 points, 0-4) 25-16, 25-19, 25-18 and Italy (8 points, 3-1) beat Australia (4 points, 1-3) 21-25, 18-25, 25-21, 25-14, 15-13. Bulgaria (9 points, 3-0) will try to stay undefeated in its match against Argentina (3 points, 1-2) at noon PT.
Complete USA Volleyball Release
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