U.S. Women Soar Past China & Into VNL Gold Medal Match

It’ll be a rubber match of epic proportions in Nanjing, China, on Sunday, after the U.S. Women’s National Team dispatched the host Chinese 3-1 to advance to a VNL Championship showdown with Turkey.

The U.S. is now 16-2 overall in the inaugural Volleyball Nations League with 12 of the victories in straight sets.

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley did her thing once again, pacing the Americans with 24 points off of 22 kills and two blocks. Foluke Akinradewo proved to be a massive problem for China, as well, crushing home 13 kills on 22 swings.

“I think in general, it has been a long tournament,” Akinradewo said. “We have had a lot of battles, a lot of tough situations. I think we put ourselves in positions to be ready for that, to regroup, to bring more energy. I think that helped us out in the fourth set.”

In two matches this season, the USA and Turkey have split 10 sets and provided some of the most dramatic volleyball of the tournament. In both instances, Turkey jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

The bronze medal match between Brazil and China begins at 2 AM CT, followed by the gold medal match at 6 AM CT.