The US secured their place on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games girls’s sitting volleyball last after a 3-1 (25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 25-15) victory over Brazil in Thursday’s semifinal at North Paris Enviornment. This win marks their fifth consecutive look within the last, preserving them on observe for a 3rd straight gold medal.
Kathryn Bridge led all scorers with a standout 21 factors, together with 15 assaults, 4 blocks, and two aces. Heather Erickson additionally performed a key function, contributing 18 factors from 13 assaults, 4 blocks, and an ace. On the Brazilian aspect, Eduarda de Oliveira (Duda) and Suellen Dellangelica Lima every tallied 14 factors. USA dominated throughout all classes, recording 44 assaults, 16 blocks, and 11 aces.
USA began the primary set robust, with Bridge and Erickson pushing their group to a 7-3 lead. Brazil fought again, with Janaina Petit Cunha delivering a strong assault and two aces to degree the rating at 7-7. Petit’s serving gave Brazil a 9-7 edge, however USA regrouped, with Erickson and Bridge extending their result in 15-10. Regardless of Brazil’s resistance, USA held agency, with Erickson’s cross-court swing giving them a 21-18 lead, and Kaleo Kanahele’s drop shot clinching the set 25-22.
Within the second set, Bridge opened the scoring once more, however Brazil discovered their stride, with Laina Rodrigues Batista and Suellen profiting from USA’s errors to surge forward 16-8. USA tried to mount a comeback, however Duda’s three consecutive factors pushed Brazil to set level at 24-18. Regardless of a late push from USA, Brazil held on to take the set 25-22.
USA dominated the third set from the beginning, leaping to a 7-1 lead as Brazil struggled to seek out momentum. Stellar internet defence and constant scoring from Bridge helped USA preserve a cushty lead, closing out the set 25-14.
Within the fourth set, Bridge continued her offensive dominance, serving to USA set up a 10-4 lead. Regardless of efforts from Brazil, the USA prolonged their result in 20-14, with Matthews and Edwards delivering back-to-back blocks to safe the ultimate set 25-15, and with it, the match.
Photograph: WPV/Sinisa Kanizaj.