PARIS — The US beat Brazil in an exciting five-setter on the Paris Video games on Thursday to maneuver right into a second straight Olympic girls’s volleyball closing in what was a rematch of the gold medal contest from Tokyo three years in the past.
Though the U.S. brushed Brazil apart 3-0 in Tokyo, the South American staff had not dropped a set in Paris. Issues had been far harder for the reigning champions in a rollercoaster contest on Thursday.
The match was outlined by the person brilliance of American Kathryn Plummer (26 factors) and Brazil’s Ana Cristina de Souza (24 factors) as the 2 stalwarts regarded to outdo one another on the web.
Olympic rookie Avery Skinner (19 factors, 3 blocks) and Andrea Drews (18 factors) emerged to assist information the U.S. to a 25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11 victory that left the Brazilians in tears.
“That was such a battle, a dogfight. We knew it wasn’t going to be simple … I am so pleased with us now for a way we fought,” Skinner mentioned.
The U.S. will play Italy within the closing.
Italy beat European champion Turkey in straight units and is assured a primary medal after their 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 victory whereas Turkey will face Brazil for the bronze. Italy was within the semifinals for the primary time.
Versatile reverse Paola Egonu was the star of the present for Italy after she scored 24 factors, together with an important ace within the third set, whereas Melissa Vargas’s 17 factors for Turkey went in useless after the Italians turned the tide in every set.
The primary U.S. set was neck-and-neck after Brazil’s blockers got here to their rescue, however at 23-23 it was the Individuals who stored their cool. Plummer scored with a kill and one other spike produced a block error to offer the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
Brazil recovered shortly within the second set. De Souza’s assault and protection proved an excessive amount of for the Individuals, with the 20-year-old fittingly wrapping up the set with a devastating spike.
However Plummer continued to pile distress on Brazil along with her relentless assault. Skinner additionally stepped up on essential factors, making use of the crowning glory on set level by beating the block with a deft contact that landed behind the blockers.
Brazil bounced again as soon as once more within the fourth however they almost threw it away when the U.S. saved two set factors earlier than an error gave the South American aspect the set to power a decider.
Brazil took an early lead within the fifth however two outrageous digs from American Lauren Carlini in a single rally was simply the increase the U.S. wanted as they surged forward whereas the South Individuals crumbled beneath the stress.
Brazil’s veteran coach Ze Roberto took a timeout to fireplace up his troops however he might solely watch on together with his fingers on his head as Plummer capitalized on their second match level with a kill to ship the U.S. by means of.
“We dwell for these moments the place you are on the precipice of greatness,” American Jordyn Poulter mentioned.
–Reuters, Particular to Discipline Degree Media
