PARIS — Could a remarkable reverse sweep happen again in Olympic beach volleyball?

The U.S.A. team came extremely close to achieving this incredible feat.

Just as the match turned dramatically after two sets, the same twist unfolded again in the thrilling fifth set.

The American women now face a crucial must-win showdown on Wednesday against Serbia.

The match concluded with China taking the victory with scores of 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 15-13. Despite the impressive comeback on Monday, fueled by the dynamic performances of first-time Olympians Avery Skinner and Kathryn Plummer, along with another outstanding showing from Annie Drews, the U.S.A. finds itself at 0-1 in this competitive four-team pool.

“I believe we really fought hard during the first two sets, but it was a slow start for us in terms of performance,” remarked Drews, who led the match with 26 kills, hitting at an impressive .352 rate, along with contributing 3 blocks and 8 digs. “I thought we made some significant adjustments, and our players coming off the bench really stepped up and executed.”

It’s noteworthy that this team refers to its substitutes as game-changers, a sentiment echoed by Skinner, who embraced her role as a super-sub. She made a strong impact with 15 kills, a striking .400 hitting percentage, 2 aces, and showcased her defensive skills with 6 digs.

“For me, it’s about entering the game and making a difference whenever I can,” Skinner expressed confidently.

Veterans Jordan Larson (4 kills) and Kelsey Robinson Cook (3 kills) started as outside hitters, but by the third set, Skinner and Plummer took charge. Plummer recorded 9 kills, an ace, and 2 digs, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure.

Chiaka Ogbogu contributed significantly with 9 kills and 4 blocks, while fellow middle blocker Haleigh Washington added 5 kills, 3 blocks, and 3 aces, reinforcing the team’s strong offensive and defensive presence.

“I’m incredibly proud of our resilience. It’s challenging to be down 0-2 and then go toe-to-toe in the fifth set,” said setter Jordyn Poulter, who also recorded a kill, a block, and 6 digs throughout the match.

Libero Justine Wong-Orantes was instrumental in defense, tallying 17 digs.

“This was a hard-fought match, and it’s definitely heartbreaking,” Wong-Orantes reflected. “However, it’s also very encouraging. Battling to five sets against a team like China is a significant achievement, and every point we can secure in this pool will be crucial for our progress.”

This Olympic tournament features three pools of four teams each, differing from the last Olympics, which had two pools of six with eight advancing. The top two teams from each pool, along with the next best two, will progress, making every single point vital.

“This format is incredibly fast-paced and intense,” stated U.S.A. coach Karch Kiraly, whose team clinched gold three years ago in Tokyo. “It’s been quite some time since we faced a top-tier opponent right out of the gate. In Tokyo, we started with Argentina, and in Rio (2016), it was Puerto Rico, allowing us to ease into competition. Here, we didn’t have that luxury, but we’ve been waiting for this, and it was great to see both teams challenge each other.”

The Americans managed a total of 74 kills compared to China’s 68, while China led in blocks with 12 to the U.S.A.’s 11. The U.S.A. also served 6 aces, whereas China only secured one ace, with both teams scoring 102 points overall.

“This match highlights how razor-thin the margins are and the necessity for us to capitalize on every little play,” Kiraly noted.

China’s Li Yingying, a standout left-side hitter, excelled with 24 kills and 2 blocks. Zhu Ting contributed 17 kills, while Xiangyu Gong added 12 kills and a block. Xinyue Yuan recorded 7 kills, 4 blocks, and an ace, with Yuanyuan Wang finishing with 4 kills and 3 blocks.

In the decisive fifth set, the Americans initially led 6-4 before breaking a tie at 7-7 with an ace from Washington. After the teams switched sides, China’s coach Bin Cai made a surprising time-out call, his second of the set.

China responded powerfully, with Yingying delivering three consecutive kills to push the score to 11-8.

Wang struck a slide to extend it to 12-9 and then added to the lead with a block of Ogbogu, making it 13-9. Drews managed a kill, bringing the U.S.A. closer at 13-11 following an error from setter Linyu Diao. However, another kill from Yingying set the score at 14-11.

Drews and Washington both delivered kills, narrowing the gap to 14-13, but Ting sealed the match with a kill, marking Drews’ only point of the fifth set.

This challenging loss sets a difficult stage for the upcoming match against Serbia on Wednesday.

Drews, the dynamic left-hander, was a standout performer throughout the match.

“Annie was phenomenal,” Kiraly praised.

She recorded 5 of her kills and a block in the fifth set, showcasing her clutch performance.

“She’s our slugger,” Poulter added. “She played with a fierce intensity and went all out, which was incredibly inspiring to witness as a teammate.”

It’s worth remembering that during the Tokyo Olympics, when the U.S.A. clinched gold in 2021, Jordan Thompson began at opposite but sustained an injury in the fourth match. Drews stepped in and delivered an outstanding performance.

“The most significant realization for me is understanding that my teammates want me out there for a reason,” Drews remarked. “It’s about my capability, of course, but there’s also an energy I can bring if I’m not holding myself back.”

In the final match of the day, also in Pool A, Serbia achieved a clean sweep over France, a team that is likely to also face defeats against both the U.S.A. and China.

“I believe there’s a lot of positivity we can carry into Wednesday,” Drews stated confidently.

“I feel good about our position,” Poulter added. “While we may not have secured the win, we pushed the match to five sets, and every point is essential in this format. We won’t dwell on this loss; instead, we’ll focus on the positives, identify areas for improvement, and be ready to face Serbia in two days.”

Kiraly shares this optimistic outlook.

“There are definitely valuable lessons to take away from a disappointing loss that was within our grasp,” Kiraly concluded.

Türkiye Triumphs Over Netherlands in Thrilling Reverse Sweep

In a dramatic turn of events, Türkiye secured a hard-fought victory with a reverse sweep against the Netherlands, final scores being 19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-13.

Türkiye faced significant challenges, being down two sets to none and trailing 21-18 before staging a remarkable comeback. They broke a 22-22 tie to win the third set, found themselves behind again in the fourth, and were down 6-3 in the fifth set, making their eventual triumph even more impressive.

The phenomenal Melissa Vargas led her team with an outstanding performance, registering 29 kills along with a block, proving to be the pivotal player in this match.

“This was our first match at the Olympics, and we’re not accustomed to playing in the morning, which contributed to our sluggish start,” Vargas explained. “We needed time to adjust and find our rhythm.”

“Once we regained our focus, we played at the level we know we are capable of. Staying calm and confident was key to overcoming that challenging situation. I’m thrilled we managed to start the Olympics on a winning note. Playing volleyball is always a beautiful experience, and I’m excited to do it here at the Olympics,” Vargas added enthusiastically.

Türkiye, which has now defeated the Netherlands nine times in a row, received contributions from several players, including Hande Baladin with 12 kills, who also had a block and an ace. Eda Erdem added 9 kills, 2 blocks, and an ace, while Ebrar Karakut also contributed 9 kills and a block, rounding out a strong offensive showing.

Celeste Plak, who recorded 8 kills and 3 blocks for the Netherlands, expressed her disappointment candidly.

“It’s frustrating. We started the match strong and with great enthusiasm, but I’m very proud of the team and how we fought. We truly believed in ourselves and our capabilities,” Plak remarked.

She’s not ready to give up, though.

“The Olympic Games are a magical tournament where anything can happen. You must believe and keep pushing forward,” she stated resolutely.

Jolien Knollema led the Dutch team with 12 kills, supplemented by 2 blocks and an ace. Nika Daalderop also made a significant contribution with 14 kills and an ace, while Juliet Lohuis recorded 7 kills, 5 blocks, and an ace, and Indy Baijens finished with 9 kills and 3 blocks.

Brazil Dominates Kenya with Convincing Victory

Brazil showcased their dominance by decisively defeating Kenya with scores of 25-14, 25-13, 25-12, while holding a significant advantage in blocks at 16-3.

Kenya’s Agripa Khayesi Kundu provided insight into her team’s experience during the match.

“We worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and playing in Paris at the Olympics felt fantastic, but facing a team like Brazil is a challenging task for Kenya,” she noted.

Rosamaria Montebiller led Brazil’s offensive charge with 10 kills, alongside 2 blocks and an ace. Carol da Silva contributed 8 kills and 5 blocks, while Thaisa added 7 kills and 4 blocks to the team’s impressive performance. Julia Bergmann, a former ACC Player of the Year for Georgia Tech, sealed the match with a single kill.

Later on Monday, Serbia swept France, further solidifying their position in Pool A.

Upcoming Matches in Tuesday’s Olympic Beach Volleyball Schedule

Tuesday’s schedule features four men’s matches, including the highly anticipated matchup between the U.S.A. and Germany at 1 p.m. local time (6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern). The Americans are coming off a sweeping victory against Argentina, while the Germans surprised many with a five-set upset against Japan. The winner of the U.S.A.-Germany clash will almost certainly secure a spot in the quarterfinals, making this the only Pool C match of the day.

Action begins in Pool B with Italy as a heavy favorite against Egypt, followed by Slovenia facing Serbia and France squaring off against Canada in Pool A.

Click here for the complete, day-by-day Olympic indoor and beach volleyball schedule.

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