The A-Team’s A-Game

USA’s “A-Team” of April Ross & Alix Klineman Cruise to Beach Volleyball Gold (By Connor Groel)

Capping off a perfect 7-0 record in Tokyo, the U.S. women’s beach volleyball duo of April Ross and Alix Klineman finished off the Australian pairing of Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy in straight sets Thursday, 21-15, 21-16, to capture the gold medal. Third time was the charm for the 39-year-old Ross, who completed her collection of Olympic medals after winning silver at the 2012 London Olympics and bronze at Rio in 2016. Her teammate, Klineman, was participating in her first Olympics and was actually an indoor volleyball player until 2017. Now, the pair are undisputed gold medalists.

Watch: Ross & Klineman Win Beach Volleyball Gold

Other Olympics Highlights

Women’s Soccer: Rapinoe, Lloyd Lead USWNT to Bronze over Australia

It wasn’t always pretty, but if this was the final Olympics for longtime leaders of the U.S. Women’s National Team such as Megan Rapinoe and Carli Lloyd, they went out in style. After falling to Canada 1-0 in the semifinals, the USWNT took on Australia in the consolation medal match. Rapinoe scored on a corner kick early. After Australia star Sam Kerr leveled the game, Rapinoe picked up her second goal in the 21st minute. Carli Lloyd then picked up a pair of goals to give the USWNT a 4-1 lead early in the second half. The game ended 4-3, and the U.S. took the bronze.

Men’s Skateboarding: Juneau Scores Second Skateboarding Medal for U.S.

Skateboarding wrapped up its exciting Olympics debut with the men’s park event, where 22-year-old American Cory Juneau took bronze. It was the second bronze medal for Team USA in skateboarding following Jagger Eaton’s performance in the men’s street event. Australia’s Keegan Palmer won gold, but all three other skateboarding golds were taken by the hosts, Japan.

Women’s Golf: Korda Leads With 1 Round to Play

After posting a scorching nine-under 62 in the second round to earn a four-stroke lead at the midway point in the women’s golf competition, Team USA’s Nelly Korda held onto her lead with a 2-under in round three on Thursday. She leads the field at -15 with one round to play. After Xander Schauffele’s victory in the men’s event, the U.S. could very well take both gold medals in golf at Tokyo.

Women’s Basketball: USA Downs Serbia to Reach Finals

The Team USA women’s basketball squad left little doubt of their gold medal pedigree on Thursday night against Serbia (79-59), jumping out to a commanding lead that never stumbled. The semifinals game was Britney Griner’s turn to shine (15 points, 12 rebounds). The USA will await the winner of Japan-France for the gold medal game on Saturday (10:30 pm ET).

Baseball: USA Shuts Down Korea for Shot at Gold

The USA baseball team ran roughshod on South Korea in the semifinals on Thursday morning (7-2) thanks to a monster home run from Jamie Westbrook and a five-run sixth inning. The United States earned a spot in the gold medal game against Japan tomorrow morning (6:00 am ET).

Women’s Volleyball: USA Crushes Serbia (3-0) for Spot in Finals

The USA women’s volleyball team continued their dominant Olympics run with a straight-set destruction of Serbia in Thursday night’s semifinal (25-19, 25-15, 25-23). Serbia knocked out the Americans from the Rio 2016 Olympics. The USA has reached the women’s volleyball finals three times in Olympics history, and they’ve settled for silver all three times.

Track & Field: American Nageotte Captures Gold in Pole Vault

Katie Nageotte put on a performance in the pole vault by clearing 4.90 meters yesterday. She beat out the reigning world champion Anzhelika Sidorova (Russia). The 30-year-old from Cleveland was overcome with emotions after clearing her final jump for the gold medal.