Sunday morning, the United States ladies folk’s volleyball group has a likelihood to head for the gold after they face off in opposition to Italy. The group look to defend its gold medal title from the 2020 Tokyo.
Team USA pulled off a considerable victory in a five-location thriller in the semifinal 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11) in opposition to Brazil, who are ranked No. 2 on this planet.
Earlier than the match, I wrote that one advantage for the Americans is the trip of the group, with eight of 12 ladies folk on the roster returning from the gold medal-winning aspect in Tokyo. However in opposition to Brazil and throughout the match, it became as soon as two first-time Olympians who contain been electric.
Outside hitters Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner took a whereas to assemble into the rotation in the match but proved they are the future for Team USA. Both propelled their groups to national titles in the college ranks. Plummer had three unbelievable national titles at Stanford and Skinner a national title at Kentucky.
Plummer led all gamers with 26 parts, posting a match-main 23 kills, two blocks and an ace in the semifinal match. Skinner scored a double double with 15 kills and 10 digs, adding 19 parts to her sport. The 2 younger guns earned a heap of reward from their head coach after the match.
“It’s so relaxing to set Kathryn and Avery right take this sport by the throat,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly acknowledged. “They’re giving us some unbelievable firepower.”
Within the deciding fifth location, Skinner and Plummer every bought three parts for Team USA, with Plummer fittingly getting the winner to push the US over the pinnacle and into the gold-medal match.
Even supposing these two stole the direct, it became as soon as a total group effort to originate the receive in a moral match in opposition to Brazil. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes became as soon as steadying in the encourage row, scoring 10 digs. Reverse Annie Drews scored 18 parts on 17 kills whereas center blocker Chiaka Ogbogu had four blocks. Their backups — Jordan Thompson and Haleigh Wasington — posted five parts every. The platoon of setters with Jordyn Poulter starting up and Lauren Carlini taking half in second string helped the US to 67 kills.
Up next for Team USA is a showdown with the No. 1 ranked Italian national aspect, who swept Turkey in straight objects 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22).
The Italians are led by open air hitter Paola Egonu, who had 21 kills in opposition to Turkey alongside two aces. As moral as Egonu is, it is some distance good the offense runs thru her. The finest diversified participant to post double digit parts for Italy became as soon as Myriam Sylla, who had 12 in opposition to Turkey.
On protection, the Italians are led by center blocker Sarah Fahr, who is a force in the center, tallying four blocks in opposition to Turkey in the semifinal. Italy additionally will also be unhealthy on the lend a hand, notching five aces in opposition to Turkey.
If Team USA can retain Plummer and Skinner hot and contain Egonu, the U.S. has a substantial likelihood to head encourage-to-encourage to receive yet one more gold medal.
The match starts at 7 a.m. ET on NBC or streaming on Peacock.
