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In a match between the two teams that won gold and bronze in previous Olympics, the United States defeated China in straight sets Tuesday at Ariake Arena in Japan.
The hard-hitting Jordan Thompson scored an astounding 34 points – the most players, male or female, scored in a game at the Tokyo Games so far – to help the U.S. team move up to 2- 0, while China fell to a surprising if not shocking 0-2.
China suffered an unexpected straight-set loss (25-21, 25-14, 25-14) to Turkey in their first preliminary match. Outside hitter Zhang Changning recorded 13 points while outside hitter captain Zhu Ting had just four and was substituted. Meanwhile, the United States beat Argentina 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-20), led by Thompson and outside striker Michelle Bartsch-Hackley.
The United States won the opening set 29-27 after China retaliated 22-24. The passer Jordyn Poulter was instrumental in the deciding moments and Thompson provided 12 points and four blocks.
Zhu, seen wearing a bandage and brace on her right wrist, woke up in the second set with nine runs from eight attacks. The teams traded back-to-back stellar trades – the United States for 23-19 and China for 23-20 – before the Americans ended 25-22 to climb two sets to zero. Thompson continued his dominance by adding 11 more points on 11 attacks.
At the end of the third set, outside hitter Jordan Larson hit a huge block to give the United States a 21-18 lead, and Thompson called with an ace, extending the lead to four points. Bartsch-Hackley finally made the set, 24-21.
The two teams will face off again Thursday in a series of preliminaries – the United States faces Turkey at 8:45 a.m. ET, while China takes on ROC at 3:25 a.m. ET.
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