U.S. falls to Brazil, plays for bronze

The U.S. men’s national volleyball team, with four players with Hawaii ties on the roster, lost to host Brazil in the FIVB World League semifinals 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19 in Curitiba, Brazil.

Starting setter Micah Christenson had 21 assists and starting libero Erik Shoji added six digs in the match played in front of 9,572 at Arena da Baixada. Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani) was used as a serving sub in Sets 1 and 3, adding an ace; former University of Hawaii middle blocker Taylor Averill did not play. The U.S. plays Canada on Sunday for bronze. Brazil, advancing to its fourth World League final in five years, meets France for gold.

Current, former UH divers earn gold

One current and one former member of the University of Hawaii diving team earned gold medals at this week’s SM Veckan, the Swedish National Championships.

Incoming junior Johan Sandell medaled in all three events he entered, with golds in the 10-meter and 1-meter platform and a silver in the 3-meter springboard. He scored a career-high international score of 356.15 in the 10m platform.

Former Rainbow Wahine Daniella Nero won the 3-meter springboard and placed second in the 1-meter springboard. The 2013 UH graduate, now in her third year of medical school in Stockholm, will compete in next month’s World University Games in Taiwan.

Also competing at the meet was incoming sophomore Grant Newcombe, who placed seventh in the 1-meter springboard.