USA beat Brazil to lift the Women's Volleyball Nations League title for a third time 

The USA have been crowned champions at the Women's Volleyball Nations League for a third consecutive year, beating Brazil 3-1.

It was Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, voted MVP, who scored the winning point off a block to secure the win.

Brazil took the lead in a dramatic first set finish by 28 points to 26, but the Americans secured three set wins in a row.

The second and third sets were contested equally, finishing 23-25 to the USA in both.

After taking a big lead in the fourth set, Brazil couldn't hold it as the U.S. came back to clinch the set 21-25.

This is the second successive year that the USA have beaten Brazil to celebrate their third VNL title.

How the drama unfolded

Set one established the tone of the final from the off with the USA getting a point on the board almost immediately from the serve.

After the constant back-and-forth of point scoring, it was Tandara Caixeta who inspired Brazil to create themselves some breathing room with her venomous spikes.

With the Brazilians going into a technical timeout with a lead of 16-13, the USA had to dig deep to keep with them.

And they did just that, with opposite hitter Jordan Thompson spearheading the recovery of points.

The two sides went neck and neck into the set point, with Brazil having the chance to take the set – but the USA turned it around and had their own set point.

And they thought they had.

In a dramatic twist, a challenge overturned the winning point for a net touch and suddenly it was Brazil winning the first set leaving the defending champions behind.

Gabi stands out as USA win the second set

The second set was a similar tale of competitiveness with neither team able to stretch a lead before the other scored a point to keep up with them.

It was, however, the set with one of the best rallies of the game – lasting 39 seconds with multiple digs, including a reactionary kick from Gabriela Guimarães (Gabi) to keep the move alive at one point.

And Gabi was one of the standout players of the set, consistently causing problems for the U.S., ending the period with nine points in the final.

But even with the heroics of their number ten, a combination of Bartsch-Hackley and Jordyn Poulter drove the USA over the line to level the score on sets to 1-1.

USA complete the comeback

The third set completed the mid-game comeback for the Americans, who came from 1-0 down to lead 2-1.

Gabi, as she did throughout the game, came in strong for Brazil.

Rosamaria Montibeller and Ana Carolina da Silva (Carol) also emerged as standouts between sets, but they could not cope with the strength of the USA blocks and spikes.

Poulter and Foluke Akinradewo teamed up to shut down the Brazil attacks and help their team take the third set.

Brazil lose five-point lead in fourth set

For the first time in the final, a team was able to establish a significant lead, and it was Brazil who did so beginning the set 4-0.

Despite a five-point gap that they fought to hold until the latter stages of the set, it was Annie Drews who help claw back ground and ultimately see the USA takeover their opponents.

A formidable battle between the two subsequently came to an end after hours of back and forth, with the title winners taking the set 21-25.

Voted most valuable player, Bartsch-Hackley got the winning touch for the USA, seeing them to their third VNL title.

Attention will now turn to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for both sides, where the U.S. will be aiming to win their first Volleyball gold.