Last Updated on Aug 23, 2021 12:46 PM
Venue: Ariake Arena
The contest for the title is as intense and awaited as it should be. Unbeaten Brazil breezed through the pool stages to reach the knockouts, only to continue their dominance. They dismantled a stunned ROC side and then ended up outperforming South Korea with no second thought in the semifinals.
Team USA took a measured, calculated approach to reach this stage. They too, eased past the pool stage, losing only to ROC. They then made short work of the Dominican Republic before taking Serbia to the cleaners with ease. The finals is a Goliath vs Goliath battle with one destined to fall.
Fernanda Rodrigues is Brazil’s main offensive threat. She was excellent against Korea, notching a team-high 13 attack points in a dominant semifinal victory. She leads all Brazilian players in points scored, with 109 total points to her name.
Ana Carolina da Silva and Carolina Saad Gattaz will be key choices to pick from for the blocker position. Da Silva has the overall advantage with 70 total points, along with 42 attack points in the tournament so far, with Gattaz one point behind her. The former also has a brilliant 22 block points to the latters’ 20 points.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley has the highest attack points amongst all American players in the Olympics so far. The attacker did notproduce much against Serbia, but she is still the consistent option compared to Larson and Drews. She could turn up big numbers inthe final, particularly if she is forced to take command.
Jordan Larson would be an ideal third option for players not wanting to take a chance with Jordan Thompson’s injury. Larson turned up big-time against Serbia, scoring 11 attack points, 2 block points and 2 serve points in the straight-set victory.
Justine Wong-Orantes is the libero to use. The American has the second highest dig points in the tournament, registering 75 successful digs, six more than her Brazilian counterpart Camila Brait.
Fernanda Rodrigues The uncertainty surrounding Thompson’s availability gives Fernanda Rodrigues the top spot for captaincy. The Brazil star had a remarkable night against Korea in the semis, scoring 13 attack points, 3 block points, and a service point to help Brazil ease to a comfortable three-set victory.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley While Bartsch-Hackley, did not have the productivity that matched her usual output in the semifinal, her consistency makes her an enticing captaincy choice. She is bound to start and can produce solid numbers, unlike Drews and Larson whose production depends on Thompson’s availability.
Jordan Thompson For those people with a penchant for taking chances, Thompson is the pick for captaincy. Choosing her has both advantages and disadvantages. On one side, Thompson had been the most prolific Team USA scorer before her injury. On the other side, she could be rusty from being away from competition for this fiercely contested tie.
