The U.S. men’s national volleyball team was eliminated in FIVB World League on Friday, falling to world No. 1 Brazil 3-2 in a final-round pool-play match in Krakow, Poland.

Setter Micah Christenson (Kamehameha) had 45 assists, 11 digs, four kills, two blocks and two aces in the 24-26, 21-25, 28-26, 25-21, 15-12 loss at the Tauron Arena. Libero Erik Shoji (Punahou) had 21 digs. Older brother Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani), the reserve setter, did not play.

An ace by Christenson gave the U.S. match point at 24-23 in Set 3, but the Americans couldn’t close.

The U.S. needed to beat Brazil 3-0 or 3-1 in order to advance to the semifinals. Brazil is 29-10 against the U.S. in World League play.

Hawaii athletes win gold

International Karate Federation Hawaii competitors Taylor Kaneshiro and Evan Miyashiro each won five gold medals and Seiga Briones took home four golds and two silvers at the AAU National Karate Championships in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Sixteen competitors from IKF Hawaii participated in the tournament that ran from July 7 to 9.

The IKF Hawaii team, made up of nine males and seven females, took home 39 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze medals, as well as seven silver cups. Kaneshiro competed in the 18-35+ Female Advanced Division; Miyashiro, the 13-year-old Male Intermediate Division, and Briones, the 9-year-old Male Intermediate Division.