Paris 2024 volleyball: USA beat Italy in straight sets to clinch men's bronze
The United States beat Italy 3-0 to win the bronze medal in men's volleyball at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
For Team USA, it's their sixth medal in men's volleyball and their third bronze. They also won gold in 1984,1988 and 2008.
After losing to Poland in the semi-finals on Thursday, 8 August, the Americans responded with a win in straight sets, 25-23, 30-28, 26-24 to get on the podium.
Team USA was led by Aaron Russell (15 points), Torey DeFalco (12 points) and Maxwell Holt (11 points). DeFalco also had the match-winning shot in the heavily contested third and final set.
"This whole Olympic tournament was incredibly difficult at all times. We had to keep pushing all the way through," DeFalco said. "I think the biggest challenge for both teams was to come back after a semi-final loss and have the energy, the emotion and the desire to even play volleyball any more."
France will face Poland in the men's volleyball gold medal match Saturday, 10 August, at 7:00 a.m. EST.