Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Morning Report

The Dominican Republic team put up a good fight, but they simply didn’t have enough firepower to hold off the United States women, losing in straight sets 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-22 ).  So it’s on to the semi-final round for the Americans, where they will take on the Koreans — led by star player Kim Yeon-koung — again.  In Korea’s opening match against the United States, Kim totaled 29 points, helping to rally her team from an 8-4 deficit in the third set to a 25-20 win.

Like pretty much everyone else who has watched the 2012 Olympics women’s indoor volleyball tournament, we have been enormously impressed by Kim.  As one of the commentators noted during Korea’s match against Italy yesterday, she may be the best all-around player in the world today.  Not only is she (cliche alert!!) a scoring-machine (even though everyone on the other team knows she’s getting the ball most of the time), but she is a terrific defensive player, blocks very well, and serves tough.

We are fans.

Here’s what the media is saying about yesterday’s results and tomorrow’s semi-final matches:

 USA end Dominican adventure (www.london2012.com)

The acclaim of the London 2012 crowds was not quite enough for the Dominican Republic tonight as their adventure in the women’s Volleyball competition was ended 3-0 by the USA.The Caribbean players have earned themselves many fans in London owing to their flamboyant, smile-on-the-face style, as well as Brenda Castillo, arguably the player of the tournament so far.  But despite another big backing at Earls Court, they were sent out of the tournament by the ever-improving USA, who seem to have finally found the key to Olympic success.

For the complete article, Click Here.

U.S. women’s volleyball team makes semifinals with sweep (USA Today)

LONDON (AP) – Destinee Hooker threw her arms around teammate Courtney Thompson in celebration after the U.S. women’s volleyball team defeated the Dominican Republic to advance to the semifinals at the London Olympics.  Thompson started at setter in the straight-set victory over the Dominicans after team captain Lindsey Berg injured her left ankle in the previous match.  “Courtney’s a quarterback,” Hooker said. “She went out there and took control of the game. She knows our rhythm and it was great to have her on the court.”

For the complete article, Click Here.

 U.S. women hold off Dominicans in quarters (www.nbcolympics.com)

The U.S. women’s volleyball team is moving on. Team USA swept the  Dominican Republic  in Tuesday’s quarterfinal at Earls Court in London to guarantee the Americans at least a shot at a medal, although they’ll be favored the rest of the way.

For the complete article (with video links), Click Here.

Video Highlights: U.S. Women Sweep Dominicans In Quarters (www.nbcolympics.com)

For video from Team USA’s sweep of the Dominican Republic in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Click Here.

 Day 11 Review: Champions into last four (www.london2012.com)

Defending champions Brazil kept up their defence of the women’s Volleyball title on Day 11, but they will face a stern challenge in the last four after the semi-final line-up was decided.  Not for the first time in this tournament the Beijing 2008 gold medallists had to dig deep to make it through as they knocked Russia out 3-2 at the quarter-final stage. The two rivals battled it out over five amazing sets, with the South Americans the ones to hold their nerve.

For the complete article, Click Here.