U.S. Women's Volleyball Extends Longest Olympic Medal Streak With Silver in Paris

PARIS - The defense of an Olympic championship ended for the U.S. women’s volleyball team with a straight-set loss to top-ranked Italy on Sunday afternoon before a raucous crowd at South Paris Arena. The silver medal was the seventh Olympic medal for the U.S., more than any country in indoor volleyball. A fifth straight medal is the longest streak in U.S. indoor volleyball history.

“I'm just honored,” said middle blocker Haleigh Washington. “It feels more like luck than anything else. To be on the gold medal team and now to be a part of the most winning program in indoor women's volleyball, that’s so sick. I'm just honored and blessed to have been a part of it. I think it's a little bit of luck when it comes to timing, and determination to not quit when the going gets tough.”

Both teams were chasing history on Sunday afternoon. Appearing in their fifth gold medal match, the U.S. hoped to become the first program to earn back-to-back golds since Brazil in 2008 and 2012. Italy, the number one ranked team in the world coming into Paris, hoped to do what their competitors did three years ago by bringing home their country’s first gold medal in indoor volleyball.

“We didn't have enough answers for Italy today,” said head coach Karch Kiraly. “They were just too good. They were clearly the class of this tournament. My hat's off to them as the deserving and well-earned gold medalists.”

The Italians topped the U.S., 25-18, 25-20, 25-17. Despite the best efforts of the defending champions, Italy continued to find open space throughout the match to overtake them offensively. The Americans struggled to manage Italy’s Paola Ogechi Egonu, who racked up 22 points and 18 kills. Jordan Thompson led the U.S. in points with eight while Avery Skinner recorded the most kills with seven. The Americans were held without a block, a first in this tournament, while Italy notched 11.

“That’s a sign that we weren't doing a good job on blocking defense,” said Kiraly. “From that standpoint, its disappointing. But again, (silver) is a tremendous accomplishment. It is really, really difficult to win medals consistently at the Olympics, and the USA women have done that. … five medals in a row is impressive.”

Prior to Paris, it was questionable whether the U.S. women would make it back on the podium. They’ve spent the past three years dealing with injuries, including a devastating knee injury for captain Jordyn Poulter, and struggled to find their ground at times while competing in the Volleyball Nations League.

“I think coming into this tournament and this quad we've really fought to find our identity as a team,” said outside hitter Kelsey Robinson-Cook. “I think the one thing about these women that I know from standing beside them for so long is that they never quit. We've all been through a lot in this program and endured a lot of things. I just am so proud of these women and to stand next to them.”

Once action began in Paris, the team’s adaptability and tenacity were tested. They had some trouble in their opening match of pool play against China, rallying back from a 2-0 start to fall in the fifth set. With impressive performances from first-time Olympians such as Skinner and Kathryn Plummer, starting lineups shifted after the loss to China. The rookies began getting the start over veterans such as Jordan Larson and Robinson-Cook.

The Americans continued to fight and deliver over the past two weeks. Kiraly shared many don’t grasp the level of toughness shown by the women, but it’s what he’s most proud of.

“The grit has been off the charts,” said Kiraly. “The ability of people like Jordan Larson, a four-time Olympian and four-time medalist, and Kelsey Robinson-Cook to quickly switch and crush new roles. To go from starter to somebody who can change the game in multiple ways. They embraced the roles. They we were great models for how to do that… it really inspired the team.”

While the Americans fell just short of another gold medal, the significance of today’s podium finish is not lost on them.

“It may not be the color that we wanted,” said Washington. “Many people were counting us out this Olympics … I’m just so proud of the determination and grit and resilience of this group of women. Hardware is hardware. It's just as heavy as the gold and I think it’s a little shinier.”

Hanna Barton is writing for Team USA as a graduate student in the Sports Capital Journalism Program at Indiana University Indianapolis.