Sweep! USA women thump Poland to make Olympic volleyball semifinals
PARIS — The USA women will play Brazil on Wednesday in the Paris Olympics volleyball semfinals after they not only defeated Poland, but swept on Tuesday.
“We’re excited that yesterday was not our last practice,” USA coach Karch Kiraly said, “and today was not our last match.”
Eariier, Brazil crushed the Dominican Republic.
Türkiye, which opened the day with a victory over China in five, will play the winner of Tuesday’s late match between Italy and Serbia.
USA bounces Poland
After the way pool play went, USA coach Karch Kiraly cracked that when his team trailed in the third set he figured it would go to 17-15 in a fifth. But the USA was having none of it and came away with a 25-22, 25-14, 25-20 victory.
It was quite a statement for the Tokyo Olympics gold-medalists after grinding to a 2-1 finish in pool play.
“This is where you want to be as this tournament goes on,” USA middle Haleigh Washington said. “You shouldn’t be clicking too early, you want to peak at the right time. And I think we are on our way. There are things we can upgrade and clean up and you should strive to be better, so I’m excited to see how we continue to improve the rest of this tournament.”
The Americans dominated the first two sets against Poland and then, after falling behind 10-6 in the third, put on a defensive display that included six blocks from that point. The USA held advantages in kills (44-30) and aces (6-3), although Poland had 12 blocks to the USA’s 10.
Annie Drews once again led the USA in kills, this time with 12 and a block, although Avery Skinner also had 12 kills and 10 digs despite sitting most of the third set when veteran Jordan Larson came in and provided some tremendous all-around volleyball when her team really needed it.
“At this point any chance we get to wear this jersey again and compete is a privilege and and an honor and a bonus,” said Drews
Kathryn Plummer had eight kills, two blocks and back-to-back aces that gave the USA a 21-18 third-set lead. Chiaka Ogbogu had four kills — including a paint-brush attempt that dropped to the floor to end the match — to go with two blocks and an ace. Haleigh Washington had three kills, two blocks and an ace.
Setter Jordyn Poulter had two blocks, two aces and nine digs.
Poland’s Martyna Lukasik had nine kills and three blocks and Agnieszka Korneluk had five kills, four blocks and two aces. Magdalena Stysiak had six kills and two blocks and Malwina Smarzek had six kills and a block.
“The United States showed at the moment they are better than us,” Poland coach Stefano Lavarini said. “We have to proud of reaching the quarterfinals.”
Vargas, Türkiye beat China in five
Opposite Melissa Vargas put on a show with 38 kills, two blocks, two aces and 12 digs as Türkiye advanced with a 23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 15-12 victory. Vargas, the 24-year-old Cuban now playing for Türkiye, took 71 swings and hit .390. Her 42-point performance is second all time in the Olympics.
Hande Baladin had 11 kills, a block and an ace and Eda Erdem had eight kills and a block.
“For us it was a dream, and finally the dream came true,” Erdem said. “This is my third Olympics, and we were always dreaming about it. Today it was against a very tough team, China. I’m so proud and so happy.”
Gizem Orge had 21 digs.”We didn’t play amazing volleyball. We have a lot of limits but anything can happen,” Türkiye coach Daniele Santarelli said. “We’re going to the semifinals.”
China’s Li Yingying had 19 kills, a block and five digs. Zhu Ting had 15 kills and four blocks and Xiangyu Gong had 17 kills and a block.
“To make this history and overcome this quarterfinal, which I believe is the hardest game in this tournament, I’m really, really proud of my team for overcoming that,” Türkiye’s Meliha Diken said. “We are here for that medal.”
Poland has not won an Olympics medal since taking bronze in 1964 and 1968, the first two Games that had women’s volleyball.
Brazil overpowers Dominican Republic
Brazil cruised to a 25-22, 25-13, 25-17 victory as it aims for a third Olympics gold. Brazil, which took bronze in 1996 and 2000, won gold in 2008 and 2012 and then silver in Tokyo when it lost to the USA in the final.
Gabi Guimaraes led with 16 kills, three blocks and an ace. Ana Cristina had 10 kills, a block and three aces and Rosamaria had nine kills and two blocks. Libero Nyeme Nunes had 11 digs.
The DR’s Isabel Pena had 12 kills. Bethania De La Cruz, who said she will return to Athletes Unlimited, had a kill.
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