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Serbia, competing for Olympic medals for the first time, will
face China who are playing for their third gold after overcoming
the Netherlands in four sets.
The Serbians were riding high after sending Russia home two days
earlier and defeated the U.S. 20-25 25-17 25-21 16-25 15-13 in a
five-set clash that could have gone either way.
The U.S. team won the first set but Serbia, driven on by their
formidable spiker Brankica Mihajlovic, took control after
America's top-scoring middle blocker Foluke Akinradewo went off
with a left knee injury sustained in the opening set.
The Americans adjusted, battled back to win the fourth and were
leading the tie-break before going down.
"We put ourselves in a position to win the match but Serbia made
some great plays down the stretch," U.S. coach Karch Kiraly told
reporters. "This loss is deeply disappointing. It cuts deep."
The U.S. were favorites to take their first gold medal in
women's volleyball. They won the World Championship in 2014 and
took silver in the last two Olympics, losing both finals to
Brazil, who were eliminated by China on Tuesday.
It was a sad outcome for the U.S., who have risen to become the
world's best and were within reach of the gold.
"We are going after the bronze, that's our goal now," said U.S.
captain Christa Dietzen, with tears in eyes as she recalled the
distraction caused to her team by Akinradewo's injury.
Kiraly said Akinradewo was in pain and could not continue. He
did not detail the injury, but reporters saw her pressing an ice
pack to her left knee.
Serbia now face China, who they beat in the preliminary round,
in the final after the Chinese defeated a wily Dutch team in a
fiercely fought match that ended 27-25 23-25 29-27 25-23.
(Editing by Neil Robinson and Nina Chestney)
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