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The medal-less drought for the United States at the World Championship lives on.
The United States was eliminated from medal contention as it lost in the Round of 16 to Brazil 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, 25-22 on Wednesday in Turkey at the FIVB U21 Men’s Junior World Championship.
Brazil outside attacker Alan Souza in the victory had a match-high 24 kills and five blocks. Souza — who entered the playoffs in the tournament’s top five for kills — was also one of two Brazil players to have more than 10 kills against the United States (2-3).
BYU outside attacker Ben Patch led the United States with 17 kills. This was the fourth consecutive match that Patch, the 2013 AVCA Newcomer of the Year, finished with a team-high in kills and his second straight match with at least 15 kills.
In addition, Loyola outside attacker Thomas Jaeschke had 13 kills, while Ohio State middle attacker Driss Guessous added a tournament-best 10 kills in the loss.
Brazil (3-2) in the elimination match out-blocked the United States 11-4 as Patch was the only U.S. players to finish with multiple blocks.
The United States entered the Round of 16 after finishing in second place in Pool C. Brazil finished its preliminary round in third place in Pool D.
With this loss, the United States will move to the consolation pool and can finish no better than ninth place at the World Championship.
The United States has never won a medal in the almost 40-year history of the World Championship and has only finished in the tournament’s top five once.
The consolation pool will begin with the United States playing Egypt on Friday.