USA Volleyball sweeps Serbia, will play for first gold medal

In their best performance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, USA women’s indoor volleyball swept Serbia 25-19, 25-15, 25-23 in the first semifinal on Friday morning.

Backup opposite Annie Drews, pressed into service the last three matches due to injury, continued to shine with 12 kills on 32 swings with three aces and two blocks. Injured setter Jordyn Poulter returned to the starting lineup with 32 assists and outstanding distribution across a balanced offense.

Serbia’s Tijana Boscovic, one of the best players in the world, was 16 of 41 as a hitter but with plenty of errors (which are not calculated at the Olympics). No other Serbian player could take enough pressure off her, and the consistent double blocks led by the USA’s Foluke Akinradewo were huge in keeping the best player on the floor in check.

Team USA was a -140 favorite to win at DraftKings Sportsbook. The United States is guaranteed at least a silver medal, but is 0-3 in history in Olympic finals. They’ll face the winner of the South Korea vs. Brazil match on Sunday for an Olympic championship and the first gold medal in program history.