The victory ensures that the U.S. team will compete for another gold medal on Sunday, facing the winner of the Italy-Türkiye semifinal. The match is scheduled for 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT). Meanwhile, Brazil will play for the bronze medal against the loser of that semifinal on Saturday.
This marks the fifth consecutive Olympic Games in which the U.S. women’s volleyball team is guaranteed a medal. They previously won gold in Tokyo three years ago and secured silver medals in Los Angeles 1984, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. They also earned bronze medals in Barcelona 1992 and Rio 2016. If they win in Paris, the U.S. team could become the fourth women’s national team to successfully defend an Olympic title, joining the ranks of the former USSR, Cuba, and Brazil.
The American team relied heavily on standout performances from their players. Kathryn Plummer led the scoring with 26 points (23 kills, two blocks, one ace), while Avery Skinner added 19 points (15 kills, three blocks, one ace). Annie Drews, a Tokyo Olympic champion, also contributed significantly with 18 points (17 kills, one ace). Their offensive efficiency was a key factor in the victory, giving them a six-point edge over Brazil in kills (67 to 61) and outscoring them in aces (five to two).
Brazil, with six Tokyo medalists on their roster, saw Ana Cristina Souza lead their scoring with 24 points (22 kills, two blocks). Gabriela ‘Gabi’ Guimarães and Rosamaria Montibeller added 16 and 14 points, respectively, but the Brazilian team struggled to maintain consistency.
In the end, the American team’s offensive prowess and ability to capitalize on key moments made the difference. Their performance sets the stage for an exciting final as they aim to secure back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
The United States women’s volleyball team continued their impressive title defense at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a dominant straight-set victory over Poland in the quarterfinals. The Americans, who are aiming to repeat their gold medal success from the Tokyo 2021 Games, showcased their depth and skill at South Paris Arena 1, winning 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-20) to advance to the semifinals.
The U.S. team got off to a strong start, taking control of the first two sets with commanding play. In the third set, they had to mount a comeback after falling behind, but their resilience and tactical execution secured the win. The victory sets up a highly anticipated semifinal clash with Brazil, who defeated the Dominican Republic in their quarterfinal match. The semifinal between the U.S. and Brazil is scheduled for Thursday at 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT).
The matchup between the U.S. and Brazil is a familiar one, as the two teams have faced each other in three of the last four Olympic gold medal matches. The U.S. triumphed in Tokyo, while Brazil claimed victories in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. American opposite Annie Drews expressed excitement about the upcoming match, acknowledging Brazil’s strong performance and emphasizing the U.S. team’s readiness and improvement throughout the tournament.
This victory marks the fourth consecutive Olympic semifinal appearance for the U.S. women’s volleyball team and their eighth overall. The win also boosted their standing in the FIVB World Ranking, moving them from sixth to fourth place, overtaking Poland and China in the process.
In the match against Poland, Annie Drews led the American offense with 13 points, including 12 kills and one block. Outside hitters Avery Skinner and Kathryn Plummer contributed 12 points each, playing crucial roles in the team’s success. Skinner noted the team’s high expectations and satisfaction with their performance, highlighting their ability to recover from deficits and capitalize on serving opportunities.
Poland’s top performers included outside hitter Martyna Łukasik, who scored 12 points, and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk, who added 11 points. Despite Poland’s strong effort, their inexperience in the Olympics showed, as Korneluk mentioned the challenge of managing emotions during such a high-stakes competition.
The U.S. team outperformed Poland in several key areas, with a significant advantage in kills (44 to 30) and aces (six to three). They also capitalized on 15 points from opponent errors while minimizing their own mistakes. Although Poland had the edge in blocks (12 to 10), the Americans’ overall efficiency and teamwork proved decisive in their victory. As they prepare to face Brazil, the U.S. women’s volleyball team is focused on maintaining their momentum and striving for another Olympic gold medal.