US Women's Volleyball Wins First Ever Olympic Gold Medal

#1      
Congratulations to former Illinois players, Jordyn Poulter and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, for making the Olympic roster. Go Illini.

 
#3      
Congratulations to former Illinois players, Jordyn Poulter and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, for making the Olympic roster. Go Illini.

Also congrats to Illini Alumnae, Erin Virtue, being named an assistant coach
 
#4      

rbillini

Redondo Beach, Ca
Congratulations to Michelle Bartsch-Hackley and Jordyn Poulter on winning the Volleyball Nations League tournament. MBH was the tournament MVP and Jordyn was named the tournament's best setter. They have a good chance for Olympic gold.
 
#5      
Congratulations to Michelle Bartsch-Hackley and Jordyn Poulter on winning the Volleyball Nations League tournament. MBH was the tournament MVP and Jordyn was named the tournament's best setter. They have a good chance for Olympic gold.
Also former Illini Erin Virtue is on the coaching staff.
 
#6      

chiefini

Rockford, Illinois
Some really good volleyball being played by our two Illini alums, Poulter and Bartsch as the USA took the first set 29-27 over China-now on NBC…
 
#9      
Poulter had a bit of criticism thrown her way by the announcers in the Argentina match. Nice to see her rebound and show them she belongs.
Some unfounded criticism. Like she couldn’t set the middles! She can set anywhere I’m certain. No thought on announcer’s part that favoring the outside hitters was perhaps just smart strategy? Lost any credibility as an expert with his constant unwarranted criticism. Jordan is awesome!
 
#10      

danielb927

Orange Krush Class of 2013
Rochester, MN
The ladies eked out a win over Italy last night to win Pool B. The team was in a huge funk against ROC and looked just as bad in set 1, but then turned it around and played great down the stretch to win the match, so that was good to see.

Unfortunately, Jordyn went down with a rolled ankle during the match. Seems unlikely she'd be back in 2 days, but who knows. That's on top of Jordan Thompson, the starting opposite, rolling her ankle in the ROC match. So, great job by the team to rally and win without two of their starters.

They'll play the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals next, either Tuesday night or Weds morning USA time. Obviously no pushovers here, but get through that and we have the tougher semis draw -- either Italy again, or Serbia, who hasn't lost a set in Tokyo to any team not named Brazil. For some reason, the quarterfinal pairings are 1/4, 4/1, and then a draw for the 2/3 matchups... we ended up with both 2nd place finishers on our side. Seems odd.

The other side is Turkey vs. South Korea... would expect to see the winner of Brazil/ROC end up in the gold medal match.

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#11      

danielb927

Orange Krush Class of 2013
Rochester, MN
Semis are tonight! Unfortunately (for us working types) it’s another 11 PM CDT start. Gonna be a tough match against Serbia, who crushed Italy 3-0 in their quarterfinal.

On the other side of the bracket, Brazil won a tight 3-1 match over ROC and Korea took a 5 set thriller from Turkey. Would have to think Brazil will be heavy favorites in the other semi, which is at 7 AM tomorrow if your on Central time.
 
#12      

chiefini

Rockford, Illinois

Excellent article in the Chicago Tribune:​

The US women’s volleyball team is into the semifinals. And if they win that elusive gold, it will be because of a ‘strong’ Illini bond.​

 
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