MATCH INFO

Lima, Peru, July 30, 2011 - Brazil beat United States 3-2 (25-15, 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 16-14) in the second semifinal of the FIVB Volleyball Women´s Junior World Championship being held at Lima's Eduardo Dibos Gymnasium in Lima. Brazil remains undefeated in the tournament through seven matches.

Brazil will face Italy in the gold-medal match, while United States will challenge China in the bronze-medal match on Sunday to conclude the tournament. Brazil finished with the bronze in the previous event in 2009, but the current squad has not lost a non-senior level match over the last four years including the gold medal at the 2009 FIVB Girls' Youth World Championship. Brazil is ranked first in the FIVB world ranking for female youth and juniors, while the United States ranks second.

The top scorer of Brazil was Ana Correa with 18 points, next to Samara Almeida and Marjorie Correa with 14 points each. Gabriela Souza added 13 points. United States' top scorer was Haley Eckerman with 25 points in the match, next to Kelly Reeves with 15 points and Haleigh Hampton with 14 points.

Live scoring, results, news and photos on FIVB Volleyball Women's Junior World Championship Peru 2011.

The beginning of the first set was for Brazil building a four-point difference. Sthefanie Paulino´s service (three points in the set) earned the eighth point for Brazil and the first technical time was in their favor. However, Haleigh Hampton (three points in the set) made a good spike and United States moved to within three points. Brazil's dig got stronger (six in the set) and they reached the second technical time out leading 16-9. United States improved their spike (11 in the set) and Carly Wopat (two points in the set) scored the 15th point. However, Brazil's dig stopped the Americans and the set ended 25-15 in 21 minutes thanks to Correa´s spike (one point in the set).

The second set had a tight beginning. United States tied the score at 5-5 because of Ana Correa´s service error (three points in the set). After three difficult points, Almeida (one point in the set) hit a spike that gave the second technical time out to Brazil. The set continued with the tie score until the second technical time out to 16-14, thanks to Correa´s spike (four points in the set). United States kept the fight and reached the tie score at 19 because of Wopat´s spike (one point in the set). In this moment, Brazil's spike increased in intensity and they scored six straight points to reached the partial winning to 25-19 in 25 minutes.

The third set had a tough beginning. The first technical time out came to 8-6 because of Hannah Allison´s bad block (three points in the set). The set continued and United States recovered the ball and reached a 10-10 tie. Since that moment, United States scored six straight points thanks to their good spike (15 in the set). The second technical time out was for United States thanks to Hampton´s spike (five points in the set) to 16-11. Brazil tried to recover the set, but United States' dig was stronger (three in the set). Brazil scored their 20th point thanks to Marjorie Correa´s spike (four points in the set). However, USA needed just one point to win and Reeves (5 points in the set) scored the winner at 25-20 in 26 minutes.

The fourth set had a good start for Brazil, which was ahead for three points. The first technical time out was for Brazil leading 8-3 thanks to Correa´s spike (seven points in the set). At this moment, United States scored four straight points and the point difference was just for one point (8-7). However, Brazil's dig decrease in level (three in the set) and United States scored five points and they reached the second technical time out leading 16-12. Brazil tried to recover the set and they reached the 20th point when USA had already 24 points. The set ended in favor of USA to 25-20 in 35 minutes because a spike error of Sthefanie Paulino (one point in the set).

The fifth set was hard and an exciting one. Brazil started winning the set and reached the court switch leading 8-5 thanks to Correa´s spike (two points in the set). United States got the ball back and Wopat´s block tied the score at 12 points. The set started to be tighter than before and they needed to play until the 16th point. United States showed a great spike (12 in the set), but a spike error gave the set to Brazil and it ended to 16-14 in 20 minutes.