Sunday morning, the USA women’s volleyball team has a chance to go for the gold when they face off against Italy. The team look to defend its gold medal title from the 2020 Tokyo.
Team USA pulled off an incredible victory in a five-set thriller in the semifinal 3-2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11) against Brazil, who are ranked No. 2 in the world.
Ahead of the tournament, I wrote that one advantage for the Americans is the experience of the team, with eight of 12 women on the roster returning from the gold medal-winning side in Tokyo. But against Brazil and throughout the tournament, it was two first-time Olympians who were electric.
Outside hitters Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner took a while to get into the rotation in the tournament but proved they are the future for Team USA. Both propelled their teams to national titles in the college ranks. Plummer had three incredible national titles at Stanford and Skinner a national title at Kentucky.
Plummer led all players with 26 points, posting a match-leading 23 kills, two blocks and an ace in the semifinal match. Skinner scored a double double with 15 kills and 10 digs, adding 19 points to her game. The two young guns earned a heap of praise from their head coach after the match.
“It’s so fun to see Kathryn and Avery just take this game by the throat,” U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “They’re giving us some fantastic firepower.”
In the deciding fifth set, Skinner and Plummer each got three points for Team USA, with Plummer fittingly getting the winner to push the US over the top and into the gold-medal match.
Although those two stole the show, it was a total team effort to earn the win in a tight match against Brazil. Libero Justine Wong-Orantes was steadying in the back row, scoring 10 digs. Opposite Annie Drews scored 18 points on 17 kills while middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu had four blocks. Their backups — Jordan Thompson and Haleigh Wasington — posted five points each. The platoon of setters with Jordyn Poulter starting and Lauren Carlini playing second string helped the US to 67 kills.
Up next for Team USA is a showdown with the No. 1 ranked Italian national side, who swept Turkey in straight sets 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-22).
The Italians are led by outside hitter Paola Egonu, who had 21 kills against Turkey alongside two aces. As good as Egonu is, it makes sense the offense runs through her. The only other player to post double digit points for Italy was Myriam Sylla, who had 12 against Turkey.
On defense, the Italians are led by middle blocker Sarah Fahr, who is a force in the middle, tallying four blocks against Turkey in the semifinal. Italy also can be dangerous on the serve, notching five aces against Turkey.
If Team USA can keep Plummer and Skinner hot and contain Egonu, the U.S. has a great chance to go back-to-back to win another gold medal.
The match starts at 7 a.m. ET on NBC or streaming on Peacock.
