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A Hawai’i incoming recruit delivered his best performance at the FIVB U21 World Championship to put Brazil on the medal podium.
Middle attacker Guilherme Voss Messias Dos Santos had a match-high seven blocks as Brazil swept Russia 25-21, 27-25, 25-12 in the bronze-medal match of the World Championship on Saturday in Bahrain.
Along with his defensive performance, Santos had five kills on a perfect 100 percent offensive efficiency and added an ace against Russia. Santos was one of five Brazilian starters to have at least five kills in the victory.
This was the third time in Brazil’s eight tournament matches that Santos had at least five kills and second time he had at least five blocks. Santos also had five blocks in the team’s second-round victory versus Russia.
Santos, who will join the Rainbow Warriors for the 2020 season, finished the World Championship with a tournament-best 0.88 blocks per game average. In addition, he had a 65.1 percent offensive efficiency during the bi-annual event.
With the victory, Brazil secured its 14th all-time medal at this World Championship and its first medal since winning the silver medal in 2013.
Santos will arrive to Hawai’i after representing Brazil at two World Championship events. The middle attacker helped lead Brazil to the quarterfinals of the 2017 FIVB U19 World Championship.
Hawai’i finished last season as Big West championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament finals. Among the starters returning for the Rainbow Warriors in 2020 includes All-American middle attacker Patrick Gasman.