How local Olympians fared: Women's volleyball advances, rhythmic gymnasts fall short

  • United States players celebrate winning the women's volleyball semifinal match between Serbia and United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday.

    United States players celebrate winning the women's volleyball semifinal match between Serbia and United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday. Associated Press

  • Orland Park's Evita Griskenas uses a hand fan during a break of her individual rhythmic gymnastics training session.

    Orland Park's Evita Griskenas uses a hand fan during a break of her individual rhythmic gymnastics training session. Associated Press

  • Libertyville's Laura Zeng performs during a rhythmic gymnastics individual training session at the Summer Olympics, Thursday.

    Libertyville's Laura Zeng performs during a rhythmic gymnastics individual training session at the Summer Olympics, Thursday. Associated Press

 
Patricia Babcock McGraw
 
 
Updated 8/7/2021 12:08 AM

There haven't been many opportunities for the United States women's volleyball team to compete for a gold medal.

But in Tokyo, the Americans sure did made a statement on their way to their fourth gold-medal match.

 

In the semifinals on Thursday, the United States, which includes two local athletes in Kelsey Robinson of Bartlett and alternate Lauren Carlini of Aurora, swept Serbia, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23).

Andrea Drews led the United States with 12 kills.

End of the road: The United States won't be represented in the finals of the individual all-around of the rhythmic gymnastics competition.

The Americans, led by a strong contingent from the Chicago suburbs, had no one finish among the top 10, which is the threshold for qualification for the finals.

Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, a five-time Pan American medalist, placed 12th and Laura Zeng of Libertyville, a two-time Olympian, placed 13th.

There is still hope for the United States, though.

In the group qualifiers on Saturday, the United States will compete with a group of six that includes Camilla Feeley of Deerfield, Lili Mizuno of Northbrook, Nicole Sladkov of Vernon Hills and Elizaveta Pletneva of Wheeling.

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