The U.S. men’s volleyball team, with two players from Hawaii in the starting lineup, rallied past Brazil 25-21, 17-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-9 in Saturday’s second semifinal of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League in Chicago.

Micah Christenson (Kamehameha) set the entire match and Erik Shoji (Punahou) was the libero as the U.S. advanced to today’s gold-medal match against defending event champion Russia. Saturday was the rematch of last year’s VNL bronze-medal match won by the Americans.

Christenson had an ace and a kill and was in on six stuffs as the U.S. outblocked Brazil 11-4.

Reserve setter Kawika Shoji (“Iolani) was used as a serving sub in Set 4. Reserve hitter-setter Micah Ma’a (Punahou) did not play.

Brazil had swept the U.S. on May 31 in the VNL opening match. The U.S. now holds a 4-3 edge when meeting Brazil in the semifinal of a major world tournament, but Brazil leads the overall series 49-28.

Earlier Saturday, Russia defeated Poland 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 25-21. Brazil and Poland meet today for the bronze.

Manu O Ke Kai wins shortened event

Manu O Ke Kai claimed the Waikiki Beach Boys Regatta at Waikiki Beach on Saturday, totaling 24 points in an event shortened by ocean conditions.

Ka Mamalahoe Canoe Club won the AA division with eight points, while Waikiki Yacht Club won the A division with 10.

The regatta was stopped due to rough ocean conditions for safety precautions, causing 31 events to be canceled.

Local surfers advance in South Africa

Hawaii’s Sebastian Zietz delivered the highest single-wave score of the day, scoring 9.07 during his matchup with Wade Carmichael, and advanced to the Round of 16 at the Corona Open J-Bay in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, on Saturday.

Zietz defeated Carmichael 14.94 to 11.50, and will take on France’s Michel Bourez. Also advancing was fellow local native Ezekiel Lau, who defeated Australia’s Julian Wilson. He will next face Australia’s Adrian Buchan.

On the women’s side, Hawaii’s Carissa Moore and Malia Manuel advanced in the round of 16. Moore eliminated Keely Andrew of Australia, while Manuel defeated Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy. The women’s quarterfinals still await two more matchups from the round of 16, which is expected to finish today.

Gibbs and Arconada advance to final

Nicole Gibbs and Usue Maitane Arconada advanced to the final of the Tennis Championships of Honolulu on Saturday at the UH Tennis Complex.

Gibbs eliminated Caroline Dolehide in a 2-hour, 41-minute match, the longest of the tournament, winning 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-4. On the other side of the draw, Arconada had a much easier time, knocking out Jamie Loeb 6-2, 6-4.

Gibbs, the second seed, and Arconada, the fifth seed, will face off today at noon.

In doubles, Dolehide, Arconada and Loeb returned to action in the final, which saw Dolehide and Arconada, the top-seeded duo in the tournament, ease past Loeb and her partner, Hayley Carter, 6-4, 6-4.

Ptasnik to speak at Quarterback Club

Elliot Ptasnik, the new swimming and diving coach for the University of Hawaii, will be the guest speaker at the Honolulu Quarterback Club on Monday. Ptasnik joined UH in 2016 as an assistant swimming coach and helped the team to an MPSF title in 2017.

The luncheon is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. and the program begins at noon. The luncheon cost is $17 per person for members and guests, including tax and gratuities.