London • The U.S. didn’t need Lindsey Burg against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, but that may not be the case in the final two rounds of the women’s volleyball tournament at the London Olympics.
The Americans cruised to a three-set win in the quarterfinals (25-14, 25-21, 25-22) at Earls Court as Berg, the team’s captain, watched from the bench. The 32-year-old remains day-to-day after injuring her left ankle in the team’s final qualifying match, a win over Turkey on Sunday.
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Storylines U.S. women advance
The U.S. women moved into the semifinals with a three-set victory against the Dominican Republic.» Setter and captain Lindsey Berg missed the match with an ankle injury.
» Former Highland High player Logan Tom scored five points for the U.S.
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Asked how her ankle felt Tuesday, Berg said, "Obviously, if I was great I would have played."
Berg, playing at her third Olympics, stayed upbeat, however, and said she could handle not playing.
"I’ve watched many times," she said. "I’ve been on the bench for two Olympics. I’m really good at cheering."
Against the Dominican Republic, former Highland High School and Stanford standout Logan Tom had a quiet night for the U.S., scoring five points on four spikes. For the second straight match, Destinee Hooker led the Americans with 19 points and was just as effective taking sets from Berg’s replacement, Courtney Thompson.
"I think any 12 can be on the court and we’re going to be successful," Berg said. "Luckily, tonight Courtney came in and stepped in and did great and the team helped her out and did great with her."
The question facing the U.S. team, which won a silver medal in Beijing, is whether Thompson will need to step in again, and how many more times. While the Dominicans provided a challenge in the final two sets, they never seemed a true threat to the top-ranked U.S.’s bid for the semifinals.
It was a different story on the other side of the bracket, where defending gold medalist Brazil needed five sets to beat Russia, which in the last set served match point four times.
There was no such drama for the U.S. But that could change if it has to play without Berg in its semifinal, which will be played Thursday against Italy.
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U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon, however, said the team would be fine with Thompson, saying he didn’t think the team "missed too many beats tonight."
McCutcheon did not elaborate on Berg’s injury.
"I’m just a dumb jock," he said. "I don’t know what’s going on. It’s something to do with her leg, I believe."
Twitter: @oramb
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