Italy closed to 9-8 on Alessandro Calcaterra's goal with 22 seconds remaining, but could not overtake the Americans.

The score was tied at 2 after the first quarter. The Americans took at 4-2 lead after the second quarter and took a 6-5 lead into the fourth quarter.

Azevedo and Smith led the Americans with three goals each. Italy's Alberto Angelini had a team-high three goals.

Men's volleyball

U.S. seeking first medal since 1992 Olympics

The United States men's volleyball team still has a goal to achieve as it plays Russia today at Peace and Friendship Stadium.

It's a medal, something that has eluded the men's team since the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, when it came away with a bronze. (Last night's 11:30 match ended after deadline.)

"It's still a medal," said Clay Stanley, a former University of Hawai'i player. "It would be great to bring back to the United States. We haven't won a medal in a while, so it would be a great feeling."

It would also be a good sendoff to team captain Lloy Ball, 32, who will be playing in his final match for the national team.

"I'm happy because we have a chance to play for a medal in my last game in a USA uniform," said Ball, a three-time Olympian and former star at the University of Indiana-Purdue. "Russia is a team we know real well and a team we know we can beat. It's going to be real exciting."

Team USA lost to Russia in four games in pool play last week.

The key, the players said, will be to forget what happened in getting swept in Friday's semifinals by top-ranked Brazil. Italy plays Brazil today for the gold medal.

"We want to go home with something," said USA's Reid Priddy. "We just don't want to come down here to be fourth."

To beat the Russians, the Americans will need to be much better behind the service line. They went without an ace in Friday's semifinal, which allowed Brazil to set up its offense and score points with its fast-paced attack almost at will.

Stanley, the U.S. team's leading scorer and best server, also must find some consistency. The Russians, who rely on strong blocking and accurate serving, have a towering front line.

"We need me to play a lot better and hit like I know I can," Stanley said.

The Americans had trouble keeping up with the Brazilians' speed, but they'll be the quicker, more athletic team against the Russians.

"We probably match up with Russia a little better than Brazil — they're not flying around as much," said U.S. libero Erik Sullivan.

"I feel very pleased that we've played well for the most part in this tournament," U.S. coach Doug Beal said. "Hopefully, we can continue to move on and be one of the top two or three teams in the world, and I don't see any reason why we can't."