With preliminary play done, the women’s volleyball tournament moved to the quarterfinals and cut the field in half Tuesday.
Netherlands advances for first time ever
The Netherlands, in its first Olympics in two decades, has advanced beyond the quarterfinals round for the first time in history.
Laura Dijkema and Co. took down South Korea in four sets Tuesday to move on to the semifinals Thursday to play the winner of Brazil and China.
Dijkema helped set up teammates Lonneke Sloetjes (23 points) and Judith Pietersen (17 points) while the Dutch squad limited the rest of Korea apart from captain Kim Yeon Koung (27 points).
USA draws one step closer to gold
Team USA fought off a couple of late charges from Japan to finish off the sweep in the second quarterfinals matchup.
Japan took home the bronze medal in London in 2012, but can’t crack the final four here in Rio.
Jordan Larson (14 points, two aces) and Kim Hill (15 points, two aces) led the way for the Americans along with the steady coaching of Karch Kiraly.
The U.S. squad will now face the winner of Russia and Serbia in the semifinals.