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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:43 a.m., Thursday, June 12, 2008

Volleyball: Brazil women win exhibition match against US

Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The United States women were defeated by top-ranked Brazil 25-20, 21-25, 23-25, 25-21, 17-15 last night in the first of three volleyball exhibition matches in advance of the Olympics.

The United States, ranked fourth in the world, qualified with Brazil for the Olympics because of finishes at the 2007 FIVB World Cup. Brazil won the silver medal at the World Cup and the U.S women finished with the bronze.

Before the match, both teams agreed to play the match to five sets regardless of the outcome of the previous sets — but the fifth-set match was necessary anyway.

Logan Tom has 23 points to lead the United States before 1,200 fans at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Sheilla Castro led Brazil with 23 points and four blocks, while Paula Pequeno added 20 points.

Brazil had a 17-16 edge in blocks and both teams had 58 kills.