U.S. Women's Bid for Olympic Gold Falls Short

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team’s bid to win its first-ever Olympic gold came up two points short in the semifinals on Thursday as it fell to Serbia 20-25, 25-17, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13 in Rio de Janeiro with one of its prime starters on the bench midway through the second set due to an injury.

Team USA, having been on the doorstep at gold with silver-medal finishes in the last two Olympic Games and in 1984, will regroup in an effort to win the bronze on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT) against the loser of the second semifinal between Netherlands and China. Aside from Olympic silver medal finishes in 1984, 2008 and 2012, Team USA earned bronze at the 1992 Olympic Games.

Outside hitter Jordan Larson contributed 12 points with nine kills on 26 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Kelsey Robinson, who started the fourth and fifth sets at outside hitter, pocketed eight points with six kills and two blocks. 

Libero Kayla Banwarth was credited with a team-high nine digs and added six excellent receptions on 24 chances. Larson added a team-best nine excellent receptions on 28 chances and five digs. Robinson held seven excellent receptions in the loss.

The Americans are now 18-3 in their last 21 Olympic Games matches dating back to Aug. 13, 2008. Prior to today’s setback, the only two USA Olympic losses were to Brazil in the gold-medal matches of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Serbia, playing in only its third Olympic Games, will be playing in the gold-medal match for the first time on Saturday against the winner of Netherlands and China.