Pure dominance from Italy, and the women's volleyball team takes home its first ever Olympic medal. It's golden. Italy swept the USA in the finals to down the defending champions in dominating fashion, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17.
Stopping Italy was always going to be a challenge as the squad only lost one set the entire tournament. But it proved just about impossible. Opposite Paola Egonu led her team with 22 points, 18 off kills. The USA did not have any hitters in the double digits, though Jordan Thompson was the closest with eight points.
In the end, it came down to net play. Italy outblocked the USA 11 to zero, a shocking number after Chiaka Ogbogu led group play in blocks. While Italy had more errors on attacks, it was also able to get the ball to the floor with aggressive swings and well-placed tips.
The U.S. wasn't as effective as it needed to be from the service line either. It recorded three aces to Italy's seven, but Italy's reception was on target more often than not.
It's a much deserved gold medal for Italy. The USA takes silver, confirming the program's fifth consecutive podium finish at the Olympics.
Now, to prepare for Los Angeles.
The Sporting News live tracked updates and highlights from the 2024 Olympic women's volleyball gold medal match between the USA and Italy. Scroll below for results.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
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USA vs. Italy score
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Final |
| USA | 18 | 20 | 17 | – | – | 0 |
| Italy | 25 | 25 | 25 | – | – | 3 |
USA vs. Italy results, highlights from Olympic women's volleyball gold medal match
All times Eastern.
End of Set 3: Italy (3), USA 17 (0)
8:22 a.m. – Wide by Thompson, and Italy wins the match. Its first Olympic medal in women's volleyball is gold. An absolutely dominating performance.
8:18 a.m. – Ace for Italy. Ekaterina Antropova nails it at Skinner, who shanks it into the stands. Italy is four points away from an Olympic title.
8:11 a.m. – One handed set? No problem. Alessia Orro connects with Egonu to extend Italy's lead 14-9 .
8:06 a.m. – It's now or never. Myriam Sylla gets the kill to continue the 4-0 run for Italy, who leads 9-6 .
8:01 a.m. – Ogbogu! The middle gets her third kill of the match to make it 3-3 early in the third .
7:55 a.m. – Nothing is going right for the Americans. They've yet to put up a block, something they must do against an efficient offense like Italy. To avoid a sweep, the U.S. must improve its passing, pick up the tips and attack the ball. It's swinging .183 compared to Italy's .400.
Skinner still leads with six points, but Thompson found some sort of effectiveness with five kills.
End of Set 2: Italy 25 (2), USA 20 (0)
7:54 a.m. – Once again, Egonu calls game. The Italian superstore terminates to end Set 2 25-20 . Italy is one set away from an Olympic gold.
7:46 a.m. – Italy challenges a touch on the bloc, but the U.S. gets a big break as it's unsuccessful. Italy leads 18-15 . The U.S. cannot find any momentum.
7:38 a.m. – There's a miscue between Poulter and Ogbogu, and the ball drops between the two. USA calls a timeout as Italy leads 12-9 . The U.S. is still in the set but can't let the foot off the gas at all.
7:36 a.m. – Hello, Jordan Larson! The four-time Olympian picks up her first kill of the match. It couldn't come at a better time as it ties it up at 8 .
7:27 a.m. – The U.S. needs to change it up and change it up fast to take a set. Italy posted four blocks, none from the U.S., forcing poor swings from USA including five errors. Skinner lead the squad with just three kills. Egonu tallied 11 points for Italy.
End of Set 1: Italy 25 (1), USA 18 (0)
7:25 a.m. – Egonu terminates, and Italy takes Set 1 25-18 .
7:22 a.m. – Thompson finds the deep corner on a tough swing, giving her kill No. 2 on her second swing of the match. The U.S. still trains 19-16 .
7:15 a.m. – That's four straight for USA. They still trail 15-11 but are working their way back into the set.
7:10 a.m. – 12-6, Italy . Paolo Egonu puts up a massive block against Skinner, tallying her second of the match. She's up to five kills, too.
7:04 a.m. – Italy has its foot on the gas early, going up 5-1 to force a timeout by Team USA.
7:02 a.m. – Here. We. Go. USA strikes first.
6:50 a.m. – For one last time, the starting lineup.
- Jordyn Poulter
- Avery Skinner
- Justine Wong-Orantes
- Annie Drews
- Haleigh Washington
- Kathryn Plummer
- Chiaka Ogbogu
6:27 a.m. – For a few of the team's veterans, including Kelsey Robinson Cook and Annie Drews, it seems this may be the last time they put on the Team USA jersey. And it's for Olympic gold.
What channel is USA vs. Italy volleyball on today?
- TV channel : NBC
- Live stream : Peacock, Fubo
USA vs. Italy will be aired on NBC.
Cord-cutters can live stream the match on Fubo , which offers access to all NBC networks as well as a free trial for new users. Peacock is also available to watch the gold medal game.
MORE: Watch USA vs. Italy in the Olympic women's volleyball finals live on Fubo (free trial)
USA vs. Italy volleyball start time
- Date : Sunday, Aug. 11
- Time : 7 a.m. ET
The Olympic volleyball gold medal match is set for Sunday, Aug. 11. It'll be an early morning for Americans watching from home with first serve set for 7 a.m. ET.
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