US Volleyball Team Beats Italy in Full-Set Battle Despite Thompson’s Absence

US Volleyball Team Beats Italy in Full-Set Battle Despite Thompson’s Absence
Andrea Drews of the United States celebrates with teammates, after defeating Team Italy during the Women's Preliminary—Pool B volleyball on day 10 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Aug. 2, 2021. Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters
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TOKYO—The United States defeated Italy in a see-saw five-set battle at the Ariake Arena on Monday to finish on top in Pool B of the women’s volleyball preliminaries, overcoming the absence of injured ace spiker Jordan Thompson and another injury.

Thompson, who sat out the match after spraining her ankle on Saturday, watched as setter Jordyn Poulter suffered the same injury during the third set and was taken off the court in a wheelchair.