Sunday morning, the USA ladies’s volleyball group has an opportunity to go for the gold after they face off towards Italy. The group look to defend its gold medal title from the 2020 Tokyo.
Group USA pulled off an unbelievable victory in a five-set thriller within the semifinal 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11) towards Brazil, who’re ranked No. 2 on this planet.
Forward of the match, I wrote that one benefit for the Individuals is the expertise of the group, with eight of 12 ladies on the roster getting back from the gold medal-winning facet in Tokyo. However towards Brazil and all through the match, it was two first-time Olympians who have been electrical.
Outdoors hitters Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner took some time to get into the rotation within the match however proved they’re the longer term for Group USA. Each propelled their groups to nationwide titles within the school ranks. Plummer had three unbelievable 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 recreation. 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 recreation 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 acquired 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 group effort to earn the win in a decent match towards 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 facet, 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 towards Turkey alongside two aces. Pretty much as good as Egonu is, it is sensible the offense runs via her. The one different participant to submit double digit factors for Italy was Myriam Sylla, who had 12 towards Turkey.
On protection, the Italians are led by center blocker Sarah Fahr, who’s a drive within the center, tallying 4 blocks towards Turkey within the semifinal. Italy additionally may be harmful on the serve, notching 5 aces towards Turkey.
If Group USA can maintain Plummer and Skinner scorching and comprise Egonu, the U.S. has a fantastic 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.
