The United States avenged its five-set heartbreak in the men's volleyball semifinals to take home the bronze medal in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The United States is back on the Olympic podium in men’s volleyball after sweeping world no. 2 Italy, 25-23, 30-28, 26-24, in the Paris 2024 bronze medal match at the South Paris Arena 1 on Friday, August 9.
This is the USA’s seventh Olympic medal after also bagging bronze in Rio 2016. The world no. 3 finished tenth in Tokyo 2020.
Aaron Russell, who was part of Team USA’s bronze medal finish in 2016, led the Americans to victory with 15 points on 11 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace.
Coming off their heartbreaking defeat in the semifinals against Poland, the USA made sure to close the sets this time around.
The Americans used its thrilling extended set victory in the second frame to distance themselves early on against the Italians in the third.
But as they’ve shown throughout the tournament, the Italians always find a way to close the gap, tying the game at 14-all after trailing by as much as five points at 7-2.
As both teams exchanged attacks and service aces, it was still neck-and-neck at 23-all.
Matt Anderson came up big after connecting on an off-the-block against three Italian blockers, putting the USA at match point. But after a long rally, it was Alessandro Michieletto who forced another extended set.
Match point, however, was given to the USA right after Italy’s point as middle blocker Giovanni Sanguinetti stepped on the line during the service ace.
TJ Defalco then sealed the win after his spike still went past Italy’s blockers and dropped to the ground.
Defalco contributed 11 markers in the bronze medal victory, while Maxwell Holt added 11 as well.
Yuri Romanò paced Italy with 17 points on 16 attacks and one service ace.