As the decisive fifth set loomed, U.S. coach Karch Kiraly had a simple request for his team: regardless of the outcome, savor the moment. Facing off against volleyball powerhouse Brazil, the atmosphere in South Paris Arena was electric, setting the stage for a match that would see the U.S. women’s volleyball team earn a chance to defend their Olympic gold.
The intense semifinal clash, a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 final where the U.S. secured their first-ever Olympic title in straight sets, lived up to its billing. The Americans edged out Brazil in a nail-biting five-set thriller, with scores of 25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11. The victory sends the U.S. team to the Olympic final on Sunday, where they will face top-ranked Italy, who swept No. 3 Turkey in the other semifinal. Brazil, still searching for their first gold since the London 2012 Games, will compete for bronze against Turkey on Saturday.
The match was a display of grit and determination, with both teams making remarkable plays to keep points alive. The fifth set, in particular, was a showcase of relentless effort from both sides. Brazil, ranked second in the world, started strong, leading 5-3 and inching closer to victory. However, the Americans, buoyed by a pivotal spike from Jordan Thompson, tied the game at 6-all and briefly took the lead. Kathryn Plummer, who finished with a match-high 26 points, summed up the team’s mindset: “We just told ourselves to let it rip, have confidence, be fearless… play the game you know how to play and go rip it.”
The match was filled with incredible moments, including a 30-second rally in the fifth set that had the crowd on their feet. The arena shook with chants of “Bra-zil!” and “Monster Block!” as fans cheered on their teams. Despite the fierce competition, Kiraly expressed empathy for their opponents, saying, “It’s kind of sad that either team has to lose a match like that because both programs are legendary in terms of consistently high levels of play in good tournaments like the Olympics and world championships.”
The U.S. victory was not without its challenges. Brazil fought back from early deficits, even taking a 19-16 lead in the first set before the Americans rallied. Plummer’s consecutive points in the attack secured the first set 25-23, setting the tone for a match that would go the distance. Brazil’s fans, waving flags and chanting from every corner of the arena, added to the intensity of the contest.
For Brazil, this match marked another chapter in their long-standing rivalry with the U.S. Despite their loss, Brazilian outside hitter Julia Bergmann praised the support from their fans, saying, “They stuck with us all the way three years since the last Olympics… We’re going to get a medal for them, too.” Brazil’s veteran players, including 37-year-old middle blocker Thaísa, who has been competing on the world stage for over a decade, will now focus on regrouping for the bronze medal match.
The journey to this point for both teams has been marked by years of preparation and mutual respect. Kiraly and Brazil’s coach Zé Roberto, who share a strong professional relationship, even arranged a pre-Olympic scrimmage to help their teams prepare for Paris. The scrimmage, which took place at the U.S. training center, featured both top lineups and reserves, providing valuable court time ahead of the high-stakes matches in France.
The U.S. team’s path to the final included a lineup change after a five-set loss to China in the group stage. Kiraly’s decision to move veterans Jordan Larson and Kelsey Robinson Cook to reserve roles and bring in Avery Skinner and Plummer paid off, as the Americans rebounded with a victory over Serbia.
Now, with one more match standing between them and a second consecutive Olympic gold, the U.S. women’s volleyball team is poised to make history once again. As Kiraly predicted, it’s going to be another heavyweight battle, this time against Italy, with the brightest lights of the Olympic stage shining down.
