University Southern California Trojans
USA Volleyball Earns the Gold at the World Championships
October 13, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
The World Championship, which is held every four years, is the largest FIVB major championship with 24 teams competing in the tournament. The U.S. Women have never before won a gold medal at one of the major international volleyball tournaments: World Championships, World Cup or Olympic Games.
Going into the match, Team USA and China had 10-2 records, both losing to Italy and Brazil earlier in the tournament. After beating China in the championship match in four sets (27-25, 25-20, 16-25, 26-24), the U.S. Women were able to claim their first major international gold medal.
Although this is the first time the U.S. Women have won the gold, they have earned hardware in previous international tournaments. The U.S. has finished second at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and at the 1967 and 2002 World Championship.
Legendary U.S. Head Coach Karch Kiraly became the fourth person to win a World Championship gold medal as both a player and a coach. He won as a player at the 1986 World Championship in Paris.
"We came here to make history and we made it," Kiraly said.
Fans will be welcoming back Team USA as they arrive at LAX at 1:05 p.m. today.
