Team USA Women's Volleyball Loses to ROC; Jordan Thompson Leaves With Injury

It's the first loss for the United States women's volleyball team in Tokyo

USA's Jordan Thompson reacts after getting injured in the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between USA and Russia during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on July 31, 2021.
JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images

The United States women's volleyball team was looking to continue its undefeated streak on Friday night.

But staying perfect in pool play came to an end against the Russian Olympic Committee. Team USA fell in three sets after losing 25-20 in the first, 25-12 in the second and 25-19 in the third.

The defeat wasn't the only major loss for Team USA -- superstar Jordan Thompson left with an apparent injury.

Thompson landed hard on her ankle from a block early in the second frame and was immediately removed from the game. She was being evaluated on the sidelines through the remainder of the second set, but left the court when it concluded.

Thompson has been on fire at the Olympics for Team USA. She is the United States' leading point-scorer in Tokyo, and recently wowed the world with a 34-point game against China this week.

The U.S. is on a quest to win Olympic gold in Tokyo, something the program hasn't done in the 57 years that volleyball has been featured at the Games. In fact, no other country has won more women's volleyball Olympic medals -- three silver and two bronze -- without taking home a gold.

And if there's a team to do it, it's this one. Team USA is ranked No. 1 in the International Volleyball Federation standings, and in pool play has beaten Argentina and China in straight sets, and Turkey in a five-set thriller.

Next up for the United States is a game against Italy on Sunday at 10:05 p.m. ET to finish out pool play. Team USA is already assured a spot in quarterfinals, which start on Tuesday.

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