Volleyball Olympic Updates: Virtue, Pawlikowski Help USA to Silver Medal
7/29/2024 2:56:00 PM | Volleyball, Olympics
• Paris Olympics Site | U-M Olympics Coverage
Sunday, Aug. 11
USA 0, Italy 3 (18-25, 20-25,17-25)
The USA women's volleyball team was swept by Italy in Paris in the gold medal match to earn silver in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Team USA took the first point in the game but quickly fell behind and dropped the first set, 25-18. The United States and Italy battled earlier in the second set but the Italians were able to pull away again and won the second set, 25-20. In the third set, both teams split the first 12 points before Italy went on a 6-0 run and controlled the rest of the match to take the third set 25-17.
Assistant coach Erin Virtue helped the USA to 35/107 on attacks and setter Jordyn Poulter registered 25 assists in the contest.
• Results and Video (NBC Olympics)
• Erin Virtue - Offensive Coordinator and Setters Coach
• Coley Pawlikowski - Team Manager
Thursday, Aug. 8
USA 3, Brazil 2 (25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11)
The United States women's volleyball outlasted Brazil in five sets to win their semifinal matchup and advance to the gold medal match.
Team USA took the first set 25-23 before falling 18-25 in the second. The U.S. responded with a dominant 25-15 third set, but Brazil took the fourth set 25-23 to force a fifth set.
In the deciding set, Brazil took an early lead, but Team USA was able to hang around and eventually took the set 15-11, including four of the final five points.
Assistant coach Erin Virtue helped the USA to 67-for-150 on attacks and setter Jordyn Poulter registered 31 assists in the contest.
With the win, the United States will play either Türkiye or Italy in the gold medal match on Sunday (Aug. 11) at 7 a.m. EDT.
• Results and Video (NBC Olympics)
Tuesday, Aug. 6
USA 3, Poland 0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-20)
The U.S women's volleyball team swept Poland in the Olympic quarterfinals.
Team USA never trailed in the first set, opening the match on a 5-1 run. Poland hung around and brought the score to 23-21, but kills by Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner put the first set to rest. The U.S. controlled the second set, going on multiple 5-0 runs to take a 2-0 match lead. Poland looked in good position in the third set, leading 10-4, but the USA closed out the match on a 21-10 run to sweep Poland. Assistant coach Erin Virtue helped the USA to 44-for-107 on attacks, and setter Jordyn Poulter registered 13 assists in the contest. With the win, the United States has advanced to the semifinals where it will take on the No. 2 team in the world, Brazil, at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday (Aug. 8).
• Results and Video (NBC Olympics)
Sunday, Aug. 4
USA 3, France 0 (29-27, 29-27, 25-20)
The USA women's volleyball team swept the host nation of France for their final game of pool play. The first set was a set of runs but France was able to hang around and hold off the USA on three set points before getting a chance of their own. The United States took a 29-27 set victory after three kills for the offense. The second set was more of the same but this time France got the first three set point opportunities, but the United States held off the French attack. Three kills including two from Avery Skinner led the USA to the final three points of the set to win 29-27. After tight battles in the first two sets, Team USA controlled the final set and took 12 of the final 19 points to win the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-0. Assistant coach Erin Virtue helped the USA to 48/122 on attacks and setter Jordyn Poulter registered 28 assists in the contest. Team USA qualified for the quarterfinals, which will take place on Tuesday (Aug. 6) with time and opponent to be announced later today.
Wednesday, July 31
USA 3, Serbia 2 (25-17,25-20,20-25,14-25,17-15)
The USA women's volleyball team had another tough match in group play but came out on top against Serbia in five sets. Team USA came out strong, taking the first set 25-17 and ending on a 13-3 run. The hot start continued in the second set, during which the U.S. never trailed. Serbia evened the match with back-to-back set wins to force the deciding set. The United States regrouped and won the fifth set on its fourth match point opportunity after a Serbia attack error. Assistant coach Erin Virtue helped the USA to 56-for-146 on attacks and setter Jordyn Poulter registered 32 assists in the contest. Team USA earned two points in pool play and will face host nation France on Sunday (Aug. 4).
Monday, July 29
China 3, USA 2 (25-20,25-19,17-25,20-25,15-13)
The USA women's volleyball team began their gold medal defense, taking a five-set loss to China. Team USA dropped the first two sets 20-25 and 19-25 before storming back in the third and fourth sets 25-17 and 25-20, respectively, to force a deciding set but fell 15-13. Assistant coach Erin Virtue helped the USA to 74-for-168 on attacks and with setter Jordyn Poulter registering 33 assists in the contest. Team USA earned one point in pool play and will face Serbia on Wednesday (July 31).
