LOS ANGELES (AP) Taylor Sander's kill for match point sealed a 3-2 victory for the United States over top-ranked Brazil in the USA Volleyball Cup on Wednesday night.
The 24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11 victory at USC's Galen Center was the first for the fifth-ranked United States after two straight losses in the four-match exhibition series. It concludes on Saturday at UC Irvine's Bren Center.
Sander finished with 21 points, while Troy Murphy had 23. Luiz Felipe Fonteles and Renan Buiatti each finished with 17 points for Brazil.
The United States is using the exhibitions against formidable Brazil to tune 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 host.
