LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) Ricardo Lucarelli scored 18 points and top-ranked Brazil defeated the United States in five sets Sunday night in the first match of the USA Volleyball Cup.
The 20-25, 25-23, 36-34, 20-25, 15-13 Brazilian victory at the Walter Pyramid on the Cal State Long Beach campus opened the four-match exhibition series between the two teams. Tuesday night's second match will be at the University of San Diego.
Matt Anderson led the United States with 32 points.
The United States is tuning up for the FIVB World Cup next month in Japan. The event is held every four years in advance of the Olympics, and the top two teams qualify for a spot in 2016 Rio Games.
Brazil, which won the silver medal at the 2012 London Games, automatically qualifies for Rio as hosts. Russia is the defending Olympic champion.
