Kathryn Plummer (R front) of team USA receives the ball during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
PARIS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. women's volleyball team survived a five-set thriller over Serbia, while Poland's men's team narrowly defeated Brazil in the Paris 2024 volleyball group round on Wednesday.
Unlike their previous match against China, where they lost the first two sets, the United States started strong against Serbia, winning the first two sets. However, Serbia fought back to force a decisive fifth set.
The U.S. ultimately prevailed 25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 17-15. Six American players scored in double digits, while Serbia relied heavily on Tijana Boskovic, who scored 31 points.
"We didn't play well in the first and second sets, but we made incredible comebacks and played the fifth set, we just lost 15-17, so we are not sad. We will try to be better against China," said Boskovic.
U.S. head coach Karch Kiraly emphasized, "I don't do mathematics of qualification, the only thing we're thinking is trying to win the next match."
"Without Boskovic, [Serbia] are nothing," Kiraly commented.
In the men's competitions, Poland narrowly escaped defeat in the fourth set against Brazil and rallied to win the fifth with strong serving, clinching the match 22-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 15-12.
The key player for Poland was Cuban-born Wilfredo Leon, who scored a match-high 26 points.
"To come and play at this time, it isn't so easy, but we made a great comeback for this match; it was difficult for both teams," said Leon.
In other matches on Wednesday, Japan's men's team defeated Argentina 3-1, and Poland's women swept Kenya. ■
Jordan Thompson of team USA competes during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Jordan Thompson (L rear) and Chiaka Ogbogu (R rear) of team USA shut out during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Avery Skinner (1st L) and Chiaka Ogbogu (R) of team USA block during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Kathryn Plummer of team USA wears a piece of necklace in the shape of the Olympic Rings during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Players of team USA celebrate after the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Haleigh Washington (rear) of team USA spikes the ball during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Maja Aleksic (front) of team Serbia celebrates after scoring during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Justine Wong-Orantes (L), Kelsey Robinson (C) and Jordan Thompson of team USA react during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Giovanni Guidetti, head coach of team Serbia, gives instructions during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Jordan Thompson of team USA tries to receive the ball during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Tijana Boskovic (L) of team Serbia spikes the ball during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Avery Skinner (L) of team USA competes during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Tijana Boskovic (3rd L) and Hena Kurtagic (2nd L) of team Serbia shut out during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Chiaka Ogbogu of team USA celebrates after scoring during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Karch Kiraly, head coach of team USA, cheers during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Jordan Thompson (R) of team USA high-fives her teammates during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Giovanni Guidetti, head coach of team Serbia, reacts during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Chiaka Ogbogu (R front) of team USA celebrates after scoring during the women's preliminary round pool A match of volleyball between the United States and Serbia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)