The United States swept France on the final day of pool play Sunday at South Paris Arena to advance to the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s volleyball tournament.
The American team eked out three narrow set victories — 29-27, 29-27, 25-20 — to win its second match in Pool A action and finish second in the group. The U.S. are trying to repeat as gold medalists after winning this event for the first time at the Tokyo Games.
Andrea Drews led the U.S. with 15 points, Chiaka Ogbogu scored 13 and Haleigh Washington and Kathryn Plummer each chipped in with 11. Drews also laid down 15 digs and Jordyn Poulter racked up 28 sets.
Critically, the U.S. doubled France’s total number of blocks (12 to 6) and capitalized on 21 French errors.
The knockout round is set, and the U.S. will face Poland in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Poland also went 2-1 in pool play, placing second in Pool B.
China, Brazil and Italy won the other three matches Sunday to clinch first in their respective groups at 3-0.
China rallied to beat Serbia 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 29-27) to win Pool A. Brazil won a lengthy second set and swept Poland 3-0 (25-21, 38-36, 25-14) to prevail in Pool B, and Italy defeated Turkey 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-21) to go unbeaten in Pool C.
Serbia and the Dominican Republic were the top two third-place teams in pool play and earned the final berths into the Round of 8.
Along with the U.S.-Poland match, China will meet Turkey, Brazil will play the Dominican Republic and Italy will face Serbia in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
–Field Level Media
