With over 40 sports to watch over 19 full days, figuring out what to watch at the Olympics can be overwhelming. There are the obvious fan favorites, like swimming or gymnastics, plus some new sports to check out this year, like break-dancing and kitesurfing. But if you’ve found yourself recently getting into the WNBA, may I recommend another fast-paced women’s team sport that’s incredibly fun to watch? Volleyball.
The sport is celebrating its 100th Olympic anniversary — it was first introduced in Paris in the 1924 games — and has since grown to be one of the most popular American sports. In the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the USA women’s indoor volleyball team won its first gold medal, beating Brazil in the finals. This year, eight members from that gold-winning team are returning, including stars like Justine Wong-Orantes, Jordan Larson, Jordyn Poulter, and Chiaka Ogbogu, so it’s sure to be a good run and I’m hoping to see another gold medal in the team’s future.
As a fan, volleyball is fast-paced and simple enough to enjoy without knowing every little rule. The sheer athleticism and moments of wild plays make it especially fun to watch. There are also multiple variations. Beach volleyball is played two on two, which makes it even more intense and frantic. At the Paralympics, there’s sitting volleyball, which is mesmerizing to watch.
If you’re ready to tune in, the USA women’s indoor volleyball team’s first game is Monday, July 29 at 11 a.m. ET versus China. Depending on the outcome, they’ll move from the preliminary round to the quarter and semifinals with the championships starting August 10. As for the beach, there are two pairs of USA women’s duos: Sarah Hughes and Kelly Cheng as well as Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss. Kloth and Nuss won their first match against Canada on Saturday and play again this Monday at 4 p.m. ET versus Australia.
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