“It's better than nothing,” Us men’s volleyball star Matt Anderson said after losing to Poland in the semifinals ahead of the encounter. “A bronze medal is something that's still really proud to have, still really proud to win. It's a medal that you're winning because you have to win that last match to get it, and I don't want to leave with nothing.”

The American men’s volleyball team is bringing home bronze from the Paris Olympics, triumphing over Italy in a thrilling, back-and-forth battle on Friday. The match ended with set scores of 25-23, 30-28, a dramatic second set in which both teams had multiple opportunities, and 26-24, in a raucous South Paris Arena.

When Torey DeFalco scored the final point, veteran libero Erik Shoji threw his arms up in triumph while other teammates dropped to their knees in celebration. After shaking hands with the Italian team, the US players shared heartfelt hugs with their coaches and support staff.

The showdown between No. 4 Italy and fifth-ranked US certainly lived up to expectations. Italy, facing match point, managed to tie the third set at 24 in an extended rally where both sides made incredible plays to keep the game alive. However, following a service error by Italy, the Americans seized their next opportunity to clinch the victory.

Both teams were competing for their first medal in eight years. The Americans last won bronze at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, while Italy fell to Brazil in the championship match.

The Americans had to quickly recover from the sting of a five-set defeat to No. 1 Poland just two days prior. This redemption was long overdue, especially after they failed to advance past the group stage in Tokyo three years ago. Despite being one of the youngest teams in Brazil, several US players chose to return for another chance after their disappointing early exit in Japan.

MAGNIFICENT. pic.twitter.com/sr8CowlUF8

— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) August 9, 2024

In the opening set, Italy led 21-20, and the US required two set points to secure the win after initially being up 24-22. The Americans were ahead 20-17 in the second set before Italy mounted a comeback to take a 21-20 lead. Italy briefly led 24-23, but Roberto Russo’s serve went long, and Taylor Averill then missed his serve as well.

The Americans claimed gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finished fifth in London, and then took bronze in Rio. Anderson and Smith led a seasoned squad on the Olympic stage. As for whether Anderson might aim for another Olympics run in Los Angeles four years from now at age 41, he remarked, “We’ll see,” adding, “we’ll see.”

The gold medal match up will see host nation France take on Poland at 13:00 CEST.