RIO DE JANEIRO » Although the effort was better, the end result was the same for the United States men’s volleyball team.

The Americans — with eight first-time Olympians, including three from Hawaii, Micah Christenson, Erik Shoji and Kawika Shoji — responded from a sweep by Canada in their Olympic opener two days earlier with a far more steady performance, but it wasn’t enough against powerful Italy.

Despite losing its captain, Emanuele Birarelli, to a right ankle injury in the third set, Italy beat Team USA, 28-26, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23 on Tuesday.

Birarelli was part of the Italian team that won the bronze medal four years ago at the London Olympics. The 35-year-old captain pumped his right fist from his spot on the floor in one corner of the court at Maracanazinho arena. He motioned his hand back and forth to signal he felt “so-so.”

The score was 23-23 in the fourth set when U.S. star Matt Anderson served into the net to give Italy match point. The Italians, seeded fourth, closed it out to move to 2-0 in Rio. Birarelli stood and limped along, and teammate Simone Buti rushed over with a hug.