PARIS – With a finals berth on the line, the United States sitting volleyball squad faced off against Brazil, a team that had won all but one set in a 3-0 preliminary round. The U.S. came in hot, winning its last two games by set scores of 3-0 after a 3-1 opening loss to China. Something had to budge.

Despite stiff resistance, the United States took the matchup in four sets (25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 25-15) and advanced to the gold medal match.

From the first set, it was clear that the two teams were very closely matched. In set one, a 6-0 streak by the Brazilians helped them turn a 7-3 deficit into a 9-7 lead. That lead wouldn’t last long, as the U.S. immediately followed with an 8-1 run to go up 15-10.

Long runs turned into a back-and-forth in the set’s second half. The U.S. captured the win 25-22. Outside hitter Katie Bridge, who led Team USA with 21 points, had six points in the first set. 

“Our game plan was to swing line, and that just wasn’t working very well; they were closing that line,” said the fifth-time paralympian, who then switched things on the fly. “Use my cross shots, swing high, get my butt to the ball and underneath it.”

The second set is where Brazil best played to its strengths, specifically blocking. The Brazilians had six blocks, the most they had in any set on the evening, and took the set 25-22. 

“Brazil is an awesome team; they are so energized, and they’re a great blocking team,” said outside hitter Hannah Erickson, who was second on the team with 18 points in the semifinal win.

Even in the United States’ one loss, the team showed what has made it so special. The USA was down as much as 20-12 but managed to keep things close and nearly came back, in the process capping some of Brazil’s momentum.

“We kept going back to what we needed to do instead of getting frazzled or losing faith in each other,” said Bridge. “We weren’t picking on each other; we know how to be there for each other in those moments.”

After fighting through adversity in set two, the U.S. truly started to flex its muscle. In set three, Erickson set the tone with a block to make it 4-1 as well as one of the hardest spikes of the day, which hit off a Brazilian player and gave the U.S. a 6-1 lead.

“I’m aiming for a spot; it’s not necessarily trying to hit a player; I’m always trying to hit down,” said the fifth-time Paralympian. “I just try and hit as hard as I can; I know that I can hit the spot, and if it hits a player even better.”

It wasn’t just a quick start; the U.S., after jumping out to an 8-1 lead, never let Brazil get within four points in the dominant 25-14 win. Setter Kaleo Okalani Kanahele was an engine in that set and the overall matchup, not only setting up teammates with great opportunities but talking the team through adjustments throughout.

The final set was much of the same for the United States, who took it 25-15 to advance to the semifinals. In the set, the U.S. had multiple double-digit leads, and Brazil never seemed within striking distance.

Next for the United States is a finals dance with China, a rematch of the last Paralympic final in Tokyo, which the U.S. won in four sets. The rematch is scheduled for September 7th at 7:30 p.m. French time.