The USA emerged victorious in perhaps the most anticipated match in Pool A of the women's volleyball tournament at the Paris Olympics. The defending champions, the American women, dramatically defeated the reigning world champions Serbia 3-2 (25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 17-15), thus securing their first win at the Games.
The Americans started the match well, but the Europeans equalized, sending the match into a tie-break. Several successful plays at the end of the game gave an advantage to Karch Kiraly's girls, who forged the victory. Thus, the USA returned to the game after their loss to China in the first match, to the delight of their thousands of fans in the stands.
Despite the loss, the Serbians remain in first place in the group with four points, one more than the Americans. China, who has two points, and France, who is yet to win one, will meet on Thursday at 9:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT). Annie Drews was the most productive player for the USA team with 16 points (one block), and five American volleyball players reached double-digit points - Avery Skinner (14) and Kathryn Plummer (11), Chiaka Ogbogu (14) and Washington (10) and Jordan Thompson (11).
Chiaka Ogbogu made a difference for the Americans, as her eight blocks helped her team win the battle at the net. The USA won the blocking battle 19 to 14. The USA also received more points from their opponents' errors (23 to 19), while the Serbians were better in attack (63 against 56) and from the service line, the advantage was again on the side of the Americans (six aces to three).
Serbia's star Tijana Bošković broke the 30-point barrier for the first time in Paris, scoring 31 points (two blocks and two aces).
Aleksandra Uzelac added another 14. Katarina Lazović came off the bench to add 12 points to Serbia's tally.
The Americans will finish their preliminary group matches on Sunday at 1:00 PM local time (11:00 AM GMT) against host France. On the same day at 5:00 PM local time (3:00 PM GMT), the Serbians will meet China.
In the second women's match of the day on Wednesday, Poland gave no chance to African champions Kenya and won 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-15), securing their second victory in Pool B and a spot in the quarterfinals.
Poland is now first in Pool B with six points, ahead of Brazil, who has three, while Japan and Kenya have zero. The South Americans and Asians will play on Thursday.
Natalia Mędrzyk scored the most points for Poland - 13 (two blocks), followed by Magdalena Stysiak, who registered nine successful plays. For Kenya, the best scorer in the match was Pamela Owino, who left the court with 14 points (one block) and Veronica Adhiambo added 13.
The Poles will play Brazil in their last preliminary group match on Sunday at 9:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT). Kenya will return to the court on Saturday at 1:00 PM local time (11:00 AM GMT) to face Japan.
