Aug. 2, 2012

Former USC All-American setter Donald Suxho and the USA men’s volleyball team served notice that they are fully capable of defending their Olympic gold medal by upsetting Brazil, the world’s No. 1-ranked team, 23-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-17, in preliminary round action in the 2012 London Olympics on Thursday (Aug. 2).

The victory guarantees that the No. 5 Americans will advance to the Round of Eight elimination play, even with two pool play matches remaining. The USA, competing in Pool B, and Pool A’s Bulgaria are the only undefeated teams through three rounds of action in London.

Thursday’s USA-Brazil match was a repeat of the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medal contest, where the Americans also posted a 3-1 win over the Brazilians.

Suxho had 81 assists, 14 digs and 11 blocks in Thursday’s match.

Suxho, who lettered at USC from 1997 to 2000, was the 2000 National Collegiate Player of the Year. The native of Albania who came to America for college also participated in the 2004 Olympics for the USA.

The USA team next faces No. 2 Russia in preliminary play on Saturday (Aug. 4) at 8:45 a.m. (PT).

Follow Suxho and the rest of the 40 Trojan Olympians' quest for gold at www.usctrojans.com/london2012