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olympicsAugust 8, 2024

PARIS (AP) — Karch Kiraly's reigning Olympic champion U.S. women's volleyball team will get its shot at a repeat gold medal. And it took every extra hustle play by every American on the floor against the mighty Brazilians.

JANIE McCAULEY, Associated Press
Players for the United States celebrate during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Players for the United States celebrate during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brazil's Rosamaria Montibeller (7) and Thaisa Daher (6) react during a semifinal women's volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Brazil's Rosamaria Montibeller (7) and Thaisa Daher (6) react during a semifinal women's volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)ASSOCIATED PRESS
United States' Kathryn Plummer (22) and Chiaka Ogbogu (24) celebrate after scoring a point during a semifinal women's volleyball against Brazil match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
United States' Kathryn Plummer (22) and Chiaka Ogbogu (24) celebrate after scoring a point during a semifinal women's volleyball against Brazil match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)ASSOCIATED PRESS
United States' Chiaka Ogbogu (24) hits the ball past Brazil's Thaisa Daher (6) during a semifinal women's volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
United States' Chiaka Ogbogu (24) hits the ball past Brazil's Thaisa Daher (6) during a semifinal women's volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brazil's Ana da Silva (15), right, gets the ball past United States' Haleigh Washington (15) during a semifinal women's volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Brazil's Ana da Silva (15), right, gets the ball past United States' Haleigh Washington (15) during a semifinal women's volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)ASSOCIATED PRESS
United States' Jordyn Poulter serves during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
United States' Jordyn Poulter serves during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brazil's coach Jose Lages reacts during a semifinal women's volleyball against the United States match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Brazil's coach Jose Lages reacts during a semifinal women's volleyball against the United States match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Players from Brazil celebrate after a point during a semifinal women's volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Players from Brazil celebrate after a point during a semifinal women's volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)ASSOCIATED PRESS
United States' Haleigh Washington (15) and Kathryn Plummer (22) attempt to block a ball during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
United States' Haleigh Washington (15) and Kathryn Plummer (22) attempt to block a ball during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Players for the United States huddle after winning a set during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Players for the United States huddle after winning a set during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS (AP) — Karch Kiraly's reigning Olympic champion U.S. women's volleyball team will get its shot at a repeat gold medal. And it took every extra hustle play by every American on the floor against the mighty Brazilians.

As Brazil's fans waved flags, chanted and sang from every corner of South Paris Arena, the U.S. women edged their fellow world powerhouse in a five-set thriller on Thursday, a compelling rematch of their Tokyo final won in straight sets by the U.S.

That was the Americans' first Olympic title, and now they can make it two in a row.

Brazil got within 12-10 in the fifth before the U.S. held on for the victory, 25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11.

When Kathryn Plummer’s winning spike closed it out, the Americans huddled together in a huge group hug and bounced on the court in celebration.

They will play in Sunday’s Olympic final while Brazil will go for bronze Saturday against the loser of the late match between top-ranked Italy and No. 3 Turkey.

The Brazilians haven’t won gold since the London Games 12 years ago.

Brazil led 5-3 and was 10 points from taking the first-to-15 fifth set when the Americans rallied to tie it at 6-all and momentarily went ahead on Jordan Thompson's spike.

Both teams pulled off incredible saves close to the floor or even well out of bounds near their own benches to keep long points alive — and one fifth-set rally lasted more than 30 seconds.

The stands shook all afternoon with chants of “Bra-zil!” and “Monster Block!”

Brazil, ranked second in the world, two spots above the Americans, now has one last opportunity to reach the podium.

Many of these women have been battling it out under the lights of the big world stage for more than a decade now.

Brazil middle blocker Thaísa is 37, and she was the second-oldest on the court behind four-time U.S. Olympian Jordan Larson, who will be 38 in October.

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Both sides realize they make each other better — and do so much for growing the game globally.

Almost three months ago during Volleyball Nations League play, Kiraly had the U.S. team in Rio de Janeiro when Brazilian coach Zé Roberto asked him about a possible scrimmage before the Paris Olympics.

“We have a good relationship, I get along really well with him,” Kiraly said. “I have huge respect for him.”

Kiraly and Roberto ultimately decided to do it, as long as their teams weren’t in the same group for the early matches in France. Once the pools were announced in June and their teams didn’t have to face off right away, they made it happen.

On July 23, Brazil visited the Americans’ training center for four sets — some with their top lineups, some with the reserves to give those women key court time and practice before the matches that mattered.

Kiraly made a lineup change after the team’s five-set defeat to China on July 29 to open group stage play, moving veterans Larson and Kelsey Robinson Cook to reserve roles and bringing in Avery Skinner and Plummer. The Americans bounced back to beat Serbia two days later.

The U.S., which earned a disappointing bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games despite being No. 1 in the world, jumped to leads of 5-0 and 8-3, but Brazil fought right back and the teams traded points for much of the initial set. Brazil took its first lead on a block by Carol against Plummer for a 16-15 edge.

Brazil built a 19-16 lead before the Americans pulled ahead 21-19 then Brazil got back to 21-all.

Plummer scored consecutive points in the attack to secure the first set 25-23.

That was just a preview of a match that would go the distance.

“It’s going to be two heavyweights going at it,” Kiraly said ahead of time.

And oh how spot on he was.

___

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

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