Women's Volleyball: Brazil aims to add three to 21-set streak

  2008-08-23 03:02:18 GMT    2008-08-23 11:02:18 (Beijing Time)    BOCOG

  (BEIJING, August 22) -- The United States and Brazil will play their first Women's Volleyball gold on Saturday, August 23, with Brazil carrying a spectacular 21-set winning streak into the medal match. Defending Olympic champions China will play for the podium again, contending with Cuba for bronze.

  Brazil and the United States will be playing each other for the first time in the tournament in what will be Brazil's first Olympic Women's Volleyball final and the United States' first since Los Angeles 1984.

  With its 21-set winning streak -- over five preliminary round matches, a quarterfinal and a semifinal -- Brazil is considered the heavy favorite for gold. The Brazilian players are all-rounders on the court with Sheilla Castro and Marianne Steinbrecher as their main force of attack.

  The United States will not be an easy opponent, as they showed in their come-from-behind quarterfinal win against Italy and their dominant performance against Cuba in the semifinals. Logan Tom is the top scorer in the tournament, with 81 spikes, 19 blocks and eight service aces. Tom and outside hitter Tayyiba Haneef-Park are the United States' key attackers.

  Cuba and China faced each other in the preliminary round, with Cuba earning the victory in five sets. Both teams are coming off straight-set losses in the semifinals and will be need to play better to earn bronze. Cuba made 29 errors in their loss to the United States, while China fell victim to the powerful Brazilians.