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Sara Hughes, Kelly Cheng win crazy point, notch three-set win to advance to Olympic quarterfinals

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Chandler Vessels | Last updated Aug 4, 2024 7:27 PM ET

The USA duo of Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng are on to the quarterfinals of Olympic volleyball after a win against Italy on Sunday. The pair won 15-12 in the third and final set to clinch the win after Cheng tapped the ball over the net on a big set up from Hughes off the serve.

That was the play that won them the game, but it was just one of several big ones for the Americans in the first set. Another came when the score was 9-4 as Hughes scored to increase the lead after several back and forth hits between the USA and Italy. Hughes finally hit the ball out of reach of her opponents to give the Americans a six-point cushion on their way to the win.

You can view both that play and the game-winning point below.

Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng win a THRILLING point in the third set vs. Italy!

NBC and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/HRWWDPfNsj
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024

Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng defeat Italy to ADVANCE to the quarterfinals!

NBC and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/AIYhWMsLM3
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024

The USA and Italy split the first two sets to set the stage for a winner-take-all third. Hughes and Cheng wasted no time jumping out to an 11-5 lead. However, Italy battled back with four straight points of its own and refused to go out quietly.

The USA stopped the run with a score of its own to make it 14-11 and set up the match point. Although Italy would score once more, Cheng got the kill on the very next point to secure the victory.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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