Sunday morning, the USA girls’s volleyball crew has an opportunity to go for the gold once they face off in opposition to Italy. The crew look to defend its gold medal title from the 2020 Tokyo.
Group USA pulled off an unimaginable victory in a five-set thriller within the semifinal 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11) in opposition to Brazil, who’re ranked No. 2 on the planet.
Forward of the event, I wrote that one benefit for the Individuals is the expertise of the crew, with eight of 12 girls on the roster getting back from the gold medal-winning aspect in Tokyo. However in opposition to Brazil and all through the event, it was two first-time Olympians who have been electrical.
Exterior hitters Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner took some time to get into the rotation within the event however proved they’re the long run for Group USA. Each propelled their groups to nationwide titles within the faculty ranks. Plummer had three unimaginable nationwide titles at Stanford and Skinner a nationwide title at Kentucky.
Plummer led all gamers with 26 factors, posting a match-leading 23 kills, two blocks and an ace within the semifinal match. Skinner scored a double double with 15 kills and 10 digs, including 19 factors to her sport. The 2 younger weapons earned a heap of reward from their head coach after the match.
“It’s so enjoyable to see Kathryn and Avery simply take this sport by the throat,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly stated. “They’re giving us some unbelievable firepower.”
Within the deciding fifth set, Skinner and Plummer every obtained three factors for Group USA, with Plummer fittingly getting the winner to push the US excessive and into the gold-medal match.
Though these two stole the present, it was a complete crew effort to earn the win in a good match in opposition to Brazil. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes was steadying within the again row, scoring 10 digs. Reverse Annie Drews scored 18 factors on 17 kills whereas center blocker Chiaka Ogbogu had 4 blocks. Their backups — Jordan Thompson and Haleigh Wasington — posted 5 factors every. The platoon of setters with Jordyn Poulter beginning and Lauren Carlini taking part in second string helped the US to 67 kills.
Up subsequent for Group USA is a showdown with the No. 1 ranked Italian nationwide aspect, who swept Turkey in straight units 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22).
The Italians are led by exterior hitter Paola Egonu, who had 21 kills in opposition to Turkey alongside two aces. Nearly as good as Egonu is, it is smart the offense runs by her. The one different participant to publish double digit factors for Italy was Myriam Sylla, who had 12 in opposition to Turkey.
On protection, the Italians are led by center blocker Sarah Fahr, who’s a pressure within the center, tallying 4 blocks in opposition to Turkey within the semifinal. Italy additionally might be harmful on the serve, notching 5 aces in opposition to Turkey.
If Group USA can maintain Plummer and Skinner scorching and comprise Egonu, the U.S. has an amazing probability to go back-to-back to win one other gold medal.
The match begins at 7 a.m. ET on NBC or streaming on Peacock.
