PARIS — Belief that Thursday’s Olympics girls’s volleyball semifinal between the USA and Brazil might be rather less pleasant than the final time they met.
The 2 Olympics powers — who’re, in actual fact, pleasant — truly scrimmaged right here earlier than the Video games started. Three of the final 4 gold medals went to both Brazil (2008, 2012) and the USA (2021, when it defeated Brazil within the ultimate). And the winner of this match will go for gold once more.
“We have been at VNL (Volleyball Nations League) week one in Brazil and our staffs get alongside rather well,” USA coach Karch Kiraly stated Tuesday night time after his crew swept Poland within the quarterfinals. “And I’ve a whole lot of respect for Ze Roberto (Roberto Guimaraes), he’s one of many nice coaches on the planet.
“We had a collection of friendlies in opposition to Netherlands (in early July in Lengthy Seaside), however the first crew we invited was Brazil, taking a threat that they may even be in our similar pool. They stated they’d different issues occurring. However he did say how about we speak about scrimmaging like two or three days earlier than opening ceremonies.
“So we talked about it once more and stated if we’re going to be in separate swimming pools let’s do it. And shortly as we came upon June 17 or 18 we have been in separate teams, I messaged him and he was like ‘Yup, I’m up for it,’ and so we scrimmaged on the particular coaching facility we’ve been understanding at.”
They performed 4 units.
“That was actually enjoyable to have them come and we felt like we helped one another put together,” Kiraly stated.
On this match, Brazil went 3-0 in pool play, sweeping Kenya, Japan and Poland earlier than sweeping the Dominican Republic within the quarterfinals.
The USA misplaced in 5 to China, defeated Serbia in 5, after which swept France earlier than its 25-22, 25-14, 25-20 victory Tuesday over Poland.
The USA and Brazil play at 4 p.m. native time (10 a.m. Jap, 7 a.m. Pacific).
Within the 8 p.m. semifinal, Italy, which swept Serbia, faces Türkiye, a five-set winner over China.
The USA was naturally thrilled after thumping Poland within the first two units after which making a pleasant comeback within the third.
“We’re proper the place we wish to be,” setter Jordyn Poulter stated. “We preserve getting higher each match. We’re staying related via thick and skinny and I’m simply actually proud to be part of this crew.”
“We’ve been hoping to place collectively some very nice spurts of volleyball and we put collectively a few good units. It’s actually solely the third match we’ve began with that group,” Kiraly stated of the beginning seven of outsides Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner, each first-time Olympians, middles Haleigh Washington and Chiaka Ogbogu, reverse Annie Drews, Poulter and libero Justine Wong-Orantes.
“A number of the groups right here have been taking part in with the identical personnel for years. And that was our third begin with that group. They’re beginning to get the rhythm that we hoped they might and had we been ready to try this in VNL — we couldn’t — we’d have even a bit of extra rhythm.
“So we’re going to wish all that and extra once we play Brazil, but it surely certain was good to place collectively a pleasant match these first two video games.”
The Poland match additionally marked the return of setter Lauren Carlini, who performed in opposition to China however injured her again. She was changed for the subsequent two matches by the official alternate, setter Micha Hancock. Monday night time, Kiraly put a wholesome Carlini again on the roster rather than Hancock.
In opposition to Poland, Drews — who has led in kills in each match — had 12 and so did Skinner, her finest offensive efficiency. The identical could possibly be stated for Plummer, who had eight kills, two blocks and two aces.
Skinner and Plummer “have been simply consuming them up,” Kiraly famous.
However within the first set, when the crew wanted steadier play, he subbed Plummer for veteran Kelsey Robinson Prepare dinner. And when Skinner struggled at first of the third set, Kiraly shortly went to veteran Jordan Larson, who performed robust protection and had three kills and a block.
“We undoubtedly made faster adjustments to attempt to cease the bleeding. Jordan Larson coming in, going to the double sub earlier with Lauren and JT (reverse Jordan Thompson) coming in. All of them performed a giant position in not permitting that crew to return up for air. We had ’em down and wished to maintain ’em down.”
Within the third set, the USA was down 5-0 and 10-6 “and it was large to return again and squeeze that one out. Simply to offer further relaxation to anyone like Jordyn Poulter and never have it go 17-15 within the fifth sport. And it’s a confidence builder to be down in opposition to a very good crew and chip away.”
The important thing was protection. The USA’s flooring protection perked up and the presence on the internet was spectacular, together with a whole lot of block touches that slowed assaults and 6 blocks after 10-6.
Braziil outdoors Gabi Guimaraes is fifth within the match with 60 kills in 12 units and is hitting .500. Reverse Rosamaria Montibeller has 42 kills and is hitting .446.
“They’re taking part in rather well, so that they’re going to be robust. They usually’re led by anyone who’s having the match of her life, Gabi, No. 10. She is the guts and soul of that crew and he or she is taking part in actually, rather well. So we’re gonna must deal with that,” Kiraly stated.
“Their reverse is taking part in suprisingly properly and so is Ana Cristina, the opposite outdoors. They’ve bought firepower additionally, together with two distinctive middles. It’s a bit of just like the firepower we now have with two distinctive middles (Washington, Ogbogu) who’ve had implausible tournaments.
“It must be actually enjoyable.”
