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- U.S. men’s volleyball wins bronze vs. Italy at Paris Olympics (newsbreak.com)
PARIS — Matt Anderson is eyeing a return to the Olympic stage for another shot at gold in men’s volleyball at the age of 41, contingent on his physical health and his family’s support.
Anderson, along with fellow four-time Olympian David Smith, has again secured a medal for the U.S. team, even though it wasn’t the coveted gold. Both athletes returned to the Olympics, accompanied by their motivated team, to redeem themselves in Paris following a disappointing outcome in Tokyo.
Anderson stated, “I’m tentatively committed to the LA ’28 Olympics, but it’s a year-by-year decision based on my personal health, and my family’s well-being, who always come first. I won’t let volleyball overshadow their needs.”
Smith also hinted at not being ready to retire from the sport.
The U.S. team recently celebrated winning the bronze medal in a thrilling match against Italy at the Paris Olympics. The game was fiercely contested, ending with set scores of 25-23, 30-28, and 26-24 in a electrifying atmosphere at the South Paris Arena.
Their victory came swiftly after a tough five-set defeat to Poland, the world’s top-ranked team. This marked a significant turnaround from their early exit in group stages during the Tokyo games.
Coach John Speraw praised the team, attributing their success to the trust and time spent together, “I’m really proud of them. The trust built over time has been central to performing in these pressure moments.”
The climactic moment arrived when TJ DeFalco scored the deciding point, triggering celebrations and emotional scenes as the team and staff shared hugs and expressed their joy.
This match was not just a fight for a medal, but a battle between Italy, ranked fourth, and the fifth-ranked U.S. team. Each side played strenuously, particularly evident when Italy saved a match point to tie at 24 in the third set, only for the U.S. to secure the win shortly after.
This victory ended an eight-year medal drought for both teams since the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where the U.S. also captured bronze.
Micah Christenson, the U.S. setter, reflected on the unity and resilience of the team, “We’ve been through a lot together, and there’s a real sense of family among us. We knew how challenging this game would be.”
Looking forward, France is set to play against top-ranked Poland for the gold medal tomorrow.
The U.S. team, led by seasoned Olympians Anderson and Smith, leveraged their extensive experience on such a grand stage, making this medal win particularly notable. Smith reflected on their preparation and mindset, emphasizing the team’s readiness and emotional management critical in clinching the bronze, “We’re probably more prepared than any team in the world to compete for a bronze. It’s not the start we wanted, but I’m proud of how we reset and focused.”
With their history of an Olympic gold in 2008, a fifth-place finish in London, and a bronze in Rio, this seasoned U.S. team continues to make their mark in Olympic volleyball history.
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- U.S. men’s volleyball wins bronze vs. Italy at Paris Olympics (newsbreak.com)