US women reach volleyball final

Destinee Hooker led the United States to within one victory of its first Olympic women's volleyball gold medal Thursday in a three-set sweep of South Korea. Hooker, who has dominated at the net throughout the Games for the unbeaten Americans, registered 21 spikes and three blocks in a 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 victory. The United States will play for the Olympic title Saturday against either Brazil or Japan, who met in the second semifinal later Thursday. American teams have reached the women's final twice, having to settle for the silver medal at the Los Angeles Games in 1984 and at Beijing four years ago. The U.S. women lost to Brazil in the gold medal contest in China but beat Brazil in four sets in the second of their five group games at these Olympics. Team USA gained the momentum late in the first set against South Korea with four consecutive points that broke open what had been a 16-16 tie. The Americans then overcame a 20-17 deficit in the second set and raced to a 5-point lead in the third before holding off a final South Korean comeback bid. In addition to Hooker's 24, points, Jordan Larson had 14 and Foluke Akinradewo added 12.