Olympics-Volleyball-U.S. beat Italy in full-set battle despite Thompson's absence

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Volleyball - Women's Pool B - United States v Italy - Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan – August 2, 2021. Andrea Drews of the United States celebrates with teammates. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States defeated Italy in a see-saw five-set battle at the Ariake Arena on Monday to finish on top in Pool B of the women's volleyball preliminaries, overcoming the absence of injured ace spiker Jordan Thompson and another injury.

Thompson, who sat out the match after spraining her ankle on Saturday, watched as setter Jordyn Poulter suffered the same injury during the third set and was taken off the court in a wheelchair.