Stanford grad Foluke Akinradewo recorded 17 points on 12 kills, four blocks and a service ace, but the United States women’s senior national volleyball team dropped a heart-breaker to world No. 1 Brazil, 29-31, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-9, in a FIVB World Grand Prix preliminary round match in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday.
The loss drops the second-ranked Americans (3-4) into seventh place in their group with two matches remaining. The top four teams advance to the Final Round.
“This was a disappointing loss for USA,” American coach Karch Kiraly said. “We made some small improvements from last weekend but it was not enough.”
The U.S. has 10 points, one behind fourth-place Serbia and Germany, and tied with Italy, entering Saturday’s match with host Thailand.
Brazil used a 4-1 scoring run to establish a 5-3 lead in the fifth set. Brazil put up a block to take an 8-5 lead at the side switch. Brazil increased the margin to 10-6 with a U.S. attack error, then reached match points at 14-8 on a fourth straight point.
Cardinal grad Cassidy Lichtman was a substitute in the first four sets for the Americans.
Women’s water polo
Stanford grad Melissa Seidemann and Cardinal junior Maggie Steffens each scored three times and the U.S. senior national team beat Singapore, 24-0, in the quarterfinal round of the FINA World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia on Friday.
Cardinal senior Kiley Neushul and grad Annika Dries each added two goals for the Americans, who meet China in Saturday’s semifinal.
The Chinese, coached by Rick Azevedo, the father of Stanford grad and Olympian Tony Azevedo, beat Hungary, 8-6.
Spain and Australia meet in the other semifinal. The Spanish beat South Africa, 12-2, and Australia topped Russia, 10-8.
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USA Water Polo/USA volleyball
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USA Water Polo/USA volleyball
By Palo Alto Online Sports/USA Water Polo/USA volleyball