Team USA Women Will Host Brazil for 2017 USA Volleyball Cup

The U.S. National Women’s Volleyball Team has followed the men’s program in announcing that they will welcome in Brazil this summer to play in the 2017 USA Volleyball Cup from August 27th-29th. The women’s teams will play in Anaheim a week after the American men welcome Brazil to Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

The United States is currently ranked #2 in the FIVB World Rankings, with Brazil sitting #4. The Americans took a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, while Brazil lost to eventual champions China in the quarterfinals in Rio.

“Brazil has built one of a handful of legendary programs in international volleyball, and this year’s USA Volleyball Cup matches will be a wonderful opportunity for American fans to see both programs live,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “Every time we square off across the net, it’s a battle – both teams test each other, and learn, and we cherish experiences like that. We’ll see you in August!”

The USA Volleyball Cup opening match will have first serve at 4 p.m. PT on Aug. 27, while the Aug. 29 match will start at 7:30 p.m. PT.

“Anaheim and the greater hospitality community is looking forward to welcoming Brazil to the heart of Southern California,” Sports Anaheim Vice President of Sports Development Roy Edmondson said. “The City of Anaheim is proud to watch two of the most prestigious women’s volleyball nations face head-to-head in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s home city, Anaheim.”

The two teams have played 24 times since 2011, with the Americans having a 14-10 advantage in that period. 6 of those matches have been in tournament gold medal m atches. Over a longer period, since 1983, Brazil has a decided advantage, leading 67-74.

After the USA Volleyball Cup, both teams will participate in the FIVB Grand Champions Cup in Japan from September 5th-10th, along with China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea.

The Grand Champions Cup is the summer’s primary global women’s championship at the senior level. The two teams will also face off at least once in the FIVB World Grand Prix in July – they’re scheduled to close pool play on July 23rd in Brazil.

This will be 4th edition of the women’s USA Volleyball Cup, which has been held every year since 2013, aside from last year (due to Olympic obligations). Brazil participated in the 2014 edition as well, with the Americans sweeping the series 4-0 with two games in Southern California and 2 games in Hawaii.

Americans’ official training start date is Monday, with some players reporting sooner or later based on their professional team schedules.

Most Recent U.S. Women vs. Brazil Matches, Courtesy USA Volleyball:

• July 10, 2016: Brazil def. USA 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 22-25, 15-9 in FIVB World Grand Prix (gold-medal match)
• July 25, 2015: USA def. Brazil 25-22, 25-21, 28-26 in Pan American Games (gold-medal match)
• July 25, 2015: USA def. Brazil 25-16, 25-22, 25-21 in FIVB World Grand Prix (gold-medal match)
• July 20, 2015: Brazil def. USA 22-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, 15-11 in Pan American Games (pool play)
• Oct. 11, 2014: USA def. Brazil 25-18, 29-27, 25-20 in FIVB World Championship (semifinals)
• Oct. 5, 2014: Brazil def. USA 25-23, 25-22, 25-21 in FIVB World Championship (pool play)
• Aug. 15, 2014: Brazil def. USA 29-31, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-9 in FIVB World Grand Prix (pool play)
• Aug. 10, 2014: Brazil def. USA 25-20, 25-22, 29-27 in FIVB World Grand Prix (pool play)
• July 12, 2014: USA def. Brazil 22-25, 27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-11 in USA Volleyball Cup
• July 11, 2014: USA def. Brazil 25-19, 22-25, 27-25, 25-27, 15-11 in USA Volleyball Cup
• July 6, 2014: USA def. Brazil 25-21, 25-23, 25-20 in USA Volleyball Cup
• July 5, 2014: USA def. Brazil 25-22, 25-27, 25-19, 25-19 in USA Volleyball Cup
• Nov. 12, 2013: Brazil def. USA 26-24, 26-24, 25-20 in FIVB World Grand Champions Cup
• Aug. 28, 2013: Brazil def. USA 25-19, 25-12, 25-10 in FIVB World Grand Prix Finals Round
• June 15, 2013: USA def. Brazil 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 in Pan American Cup (semifinals)
• Aug. 11, 2012: Brazil def. USA 11-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17 in Olympic Games (gold-medal match)
• July 30, 2012: USA def. Brazil 25-18, 25-17, 22-25, 25-21 in Olympic Games (pool play)
• July 20, 2012: USA def. Brazil 28-30, 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-11 in Pan Am Cup (gold-medal match)
• June 27, 2012: USA def. Brazil 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 13-25, 15-13 in FIVB World Grand Prix Finals (pool play)
• June 17, 2012: USA def. Brazil 20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 in FIVB World Grand Prix (pool play)
• Nov. 4, 2011: USA def. Brazil 25-22, 17-25, 27-25, 25-19 in FIVB World Cup
• Aug. 28, 2011: USA def. Brazil 26-24, 25-20, 25-21 in FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round (gold-medal match)
• Aug. 26, 2011: Brazil def. USA 22-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-20 in FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round (pool play)
• July 5, 2011: Brazil def. USA 28-30, 25-18, 25-19, 17-25, 15-11 in Pan American Cup (pool play)