COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 2, 2019) – The U.S. Men’s Pan American Games Team got a strong start, but victory slipped away and Brazil beat the U.S., 23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 15-9.
The U.S. Men (1-2) will play Puerto Rico (1-2) for fifth place on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Matches are being shown on ESPN3.
The U.S. Men played well and benefitted from Brazil errors in the first two sets. But when Brazil cleaned up its mistakes, the U.S. could not find another gear.
The U.S. led in blocks (11-4). Brazil led in kills (65-48) and aces (10-7). The U.S. scored on 29 Brazil errors while committing 30.
Opposite Kyle Ensing led the U.S. with 18 points on 14 kills, two block and two aces. Middle blocker Brendan Schmidt (hitting in photo) scored 14 points on 11 kills, two blocks and one ace.
Outside hitter Brenden Sander totaled 13 points on nine kills, two blocks and two aces. Middle blocker Price Jarman scored on a match-high four blocks and six kills.
U.S. STARTERS VS BRAZIL
Outside hitters: Brenden Sander and David Wieczorek
Middle blockers: Brendan Schmidt and Price Jarman
Opposite: Kyle Ensing
Setter: Josh Tuaniga
Libero: Kupono Fey
Substitutes: Tommy Carmody (MB), Joe Worsley (S), James Shaw (Opp), Colton Cowell (OH), Sam Holt (OH)
U.S. STATISTICS VS BRAZIL
Kills: Ensing 14, Schmidt 11, Sander 9, Jarman 6, Wieczorek 4, Cowell 2, Tuaniga 2
Blocks: Jarman 4, Ensing 2, Schmidt 2, Sander 2, Cowell 1
Aces: Ensing 2, Tuaniga 2, Sander 2, Schmidt 1