The U.S. women’s volleyball team has made it to the semifinals for the sixth time in the past eight Olympics after beating the Dominican Republic in straight sets in the quarterfinals on Wednesday in Tokyo.
The Americans advanced to a matchup with the winner of Serbia-Italy, despite playing without injured starters Jordyn Poulter and Jordan Thompson.
Fill-ins Micha Hancock and Annie Drews helped set the tone early for the U.S., and the team wasn’t seriously challenged at any point by the Dominicans. Drews finished with a team-high 18 points.
The U.S. is seeking its first gold medal in the sport after winning bronze five years ago in Rio de Janeiro and silver in 2008 and 2012.