Olympics: U.S. women nab volleyball victory

BEIJING — The U.S. women's volleyball team guaranteed themselves a medal at the Beijing Olympics — their first medal since the 1992 Barcelona Games — with an impressive three-set sweep over Cuba in Thursday's semifinals at Capital Gymnasium.

It was the first U.S. sweep in Beijing, as the Americans won 25-20, 25-15, 25-17 over a listless Cuban team.

In fact, Cuba had done the same three-set sweep to the U.S. in pool play last week.

The United States advances to Saturday's gold-medal match against the winner of Thursday's late semifinal between Brazil and China.

The U.S. had needed three straight five-set victories in as many outings just to get to Thursday's semi against nemesis neighbor Cuba.

And the Americans posted the most significant runs of the day, going up 12-5 at midpoint in the first match, by seven at 20-13 in the second and cruising ahead in the third.

Logan Tom put down seven kills, three blocks and one service ace for the United States. Tayyiba Haneef-Park led the U.S. with nine kills and three aces.

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