Defending champion US women's volleyball team beats Brazil in semifinal thriller at Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — Karch Kiraly made one request when the decisive fifth set began: Win or lose, make sure to enjoy the moment.

The U.S. coach asked his players to take in the atmosphere, one of the best for women's volleyball, with mighty Brazil on the opposite side of the net.

Now, Kiraly and the Americans will get another shot under the bright Olympic lights — a shot to repeat as gold medalists. And it took every extra hustle play by every American on the floor against the experienced Brazilians.

“It's kind of sad that either team has to lose a match like that," Kiraly said, “because both programs are legendary in terms of consistently high level of play in good tournaments like the Olympics and world championships.”

As Brazil's fans waved flags, chanted and sang from every corner of South Paris Arena, the U.S. women edged their fellow world powerhouse in a five-set thriller on Thursday, a compelling rematch of their Tokyo final won in straight sets by the U.S.

That marked the Americans' first Olympic title, and now they can make it two in a row.

Brazil got within 12-10 in the fifth before the U.S. held on for the victory, 25-23, 18-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-11.

When Kathryn Plummer’s winning spike for her match-high 26th point closed it out, the Americans huddled together in a huge group hug and bounced on the court in celebration.

They will play in Sunday’s Olympic final against top-ranked Italy, which swept No. 3 Turkey in the late match. Brazil will go for bronze Saturday against Turkey.

The Brazilians haven’t won gold since the London Games 12 years ago.

Brazil led 5-3 and was 10 points from taking the first-to-15 fifth when the Americans rallied to tie it at 6-all and momentarily went ahead on Jordan Thompson's spike.

“We just told ourselves to let it rip, have confidence, be fearless, it's a quick game to 15,” Plummer said. “That's what you have to do, you don't really have time to fix things or make adjustments very quickly, so it was just play the game you know how to play and go rip it.”

Both teams pulled off incredible saves close to the floor or even well out of bounds near their own benches to keep long points alive — and one fifth-set rally lasted more than 30 seconds.

The stands shook all afternoon with chants of “Bra-zil!” and “Monster Block!”

Brazil, ranked second in the world, two spots above the Americans, now has one last opportunity to reach the podium.

“They stuck with us all the way three years since the last Olympics. Everyone is just giving us so much energy. Definitely they're a part of this whole journey,” Brazil outside hitter Julia Bergmann said of the enormous support. “We're going to get a medal for them, too."

Many of these women have been battling it out under the lights of the big world stage for more than a decade now.

Brazil middle blocker Thaísa is 37, and she was the second-oldest on the court behind four-time U.S. Olympian Jordan Larson, who will be 38 in October.

“We fought. It was a really good fight. They played really well. It was five sets. I don’t even know what to say, it’s an emotional time for us now,” Bergmann said. “We have to refocus, regroup and go for the bronze.”

Almost three months ago during Volleyball Nations League play, Kiraly had the U.S. team in Rio de Janeiro when Brazilian coach Zé Roberto asked him about a possible scrimmage before the Paris Olympics.

“We have a good relationship, I get along really well with him,” Kiraly said. “I have huge respect for him.”

Kiraly and Roberto ultimately decided to do it, as long as their teams weren’t in the same group for the early matches in France. Once the pools were announced in June and their teams didn’t have to face off right away, they made it happen.

So, Brazil visited the Americans’ training center for four sets once the teams arrived — some with their top lineups, some with the reserves to give those women key court time and practice before the matches that mattered.

Kiraly made a lineup change after the team’s five-set defeat to China on July 29 to open group stage play, moving veterans Larson and Kelsey Robinson Cook to reserve roles and bringing in Avery Skinner and Plummer. The Americans bounced back to beat Serbia two days later.

The U.S., which earned a heartbreaking bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games despite being No. 1 in the world, jumped to leads of 5-0 and 8-3, but Brazil fought back and the teams traded points for much of the initial set. Brazil took its first lead on a block by Carol against Plummer for a 16-15 edge.

Brazil built a 19-16 lead before the Americans pulled ahead 21-19, and then Brazil got back to 21-all.

Plummer scored consecutive points in the attack to secure the first set 25-23.

That was just a preview of a match that would go the distance.

“It’s going to be two heavyweights going at it,” Kiraly said ahead of time.

And oh how spot on he was.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Players for the United States huddle after winning a set during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

United States' Haleigh Washington (15) and Kathryn Plummer (22) attempt to block a ball during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Players from Brazil celebrate after a point during a semifinal women's volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Brazil's coach Jose Lages reacts during a semifinal women's volleyball against the United States match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

United States' Jordyn Poulter serves during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Brazil's Ana da Silva (15), right, gets the ball past United States' Haleigh Washington (15) during a semifinal women's volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

United States' Chiaka Ogbogu (24) hits the ball past Brazil's Thaisa Daher (6) during a semifinal women's volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

United States' Kathryn Plummer (22) and Chiaka Ogbogu (24) celebrate after scoring a point during a semifinal women's volleyball against Brazil match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Brazil's Rosamaria Montibeller (7) and Thaisa Daher (6) react during a semifinal women's volleyball match against the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Players for the United States celebrate during a semifinal women's volleyball match against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

WASHINGTON (AP) — With President Joe Biden away from the White House, it was left Friday to another man with Oval Office experience to stand at the front of the Rose Garden and give a rousing call to service.

Martin Sheen and others from the cast of “The West Wing,” the hit drama about a liberal president and his staff, were invited by first lady Jill Biden for an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the show.

Sheen exhorted the crowd to find something worth fighting for, “something deeply personal and uncompromising, something that can unite the will of the spirit with the work of the flesh."

His voice and hands rose, his cadence matching perfectly that of President Jed Bartlet, the character Sheen played for seven seasons.

“When we find that, we will discover fire for the second time, and then we will be able to help lift up this nation and all its people to that place where the heart is without fear, and their head is held high,” Sheen said.

“The West Wing” remains a favorite of many who now work in Washington, both liberal and conservative. Among those spotted in the Rose Garden were House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Joe Walsh, once a tea party-aligned Illinois congressman who is now a sharp critic of former President Donald Trump and supporting Vice President Kamala Harris.

Asked to name his favorite character, Walsh replied, “I'm partial to Martin Sheen because I want to be president one day." (Walsh ran and lost a longshot Republican primary challenge to Trump in 2020.)

It was clear in the speeches and the party’s touches that at least a few “West Wing” fans work in the White House.

There was the U.S. Marine Band playing the opening notes to the show's theme as Biden and the cast walked out. There were references to “big blocks of cheese” — a show tradition of requiring staffers to meet with eccentric or offbeat characters — and the walk-and-talk dialogues in which characters moved through the halls at high speed.

Waiters passed out bourbon-and-ginger ale cocktails called “The Jackal,” a reference to press secretary C.J. Cregg's dance and lip sync routine in one iconic episode.

The show's creator, Aaron Sorkin, spoke after Sheen and referenced a bit of real-world politics: Biden's decision not to seek a second term after his disastrous debate performance. Sorkin was among the high-profile Democrats who called for him to withdraw, writing a column for The New York Times with a potential “script” for Democrats to replace Biden as their nominee with a Republican, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney.

His column ran on July 21, hours before Biden announced he would drop out.

“The fact is, ‘West Wing’ moments do happen,” he said Friday, addressing the first lady. “And Dr. Biden, we saw proof of that on the morning of July 21.”

Sorkin also recognized the cast members in attendance. Among them: Richard Schiff, who played communications director Toby Ziegler; Janel Moloney, who played assistant Donna Moss; and Dulé Hill, who played the president's bodyman, Charlie Young.

He noted the absence of a few high-profile actors — Allison Janney, who played Cregg, as well as Bradley Whitford and Rob Lowe — who he said were on set elsewhere.

“The rest of us are apparently unemployed,” he joked.

After the crowd laughed, a voice chimed in from Sorkin's right.

“Not yet!” Jill Biden said.

First lady Jill Biden, listens to actor Martin Sheen speaks at an event on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Jill Biden, with actor Martin Sheen, and other members of the cast of The West Wing, walk to the stage during an event on the Rose Garden at the White House marking the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Actress Christine Lahti, attends an event hosted by first lady Jill Biden on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Jill Biden, listens to Aaron Sorkin speak at an event on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Actor Martin Sheen and other members of the cast of The West Wing, listen to Aaron Sorkin speak at an event on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Jill Biden, listens to actor Aaron Sorkin speaks at an event on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Jill Biden, listens to actor Martin Sheen speaks at an event on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

First lady Jill Biden, with actors Martin Sheen, left, Aaron Sorkin, right, and other members of the cast of The West Wing, is applauded as she hosts an event on the Rose Garden at the White House to mark the 25th anniversary of the television series, The West Wing, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)