MATCH STATS
The U.S. women's volleyball team, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, remained on Wednesday very much in the mix for an upgrade of the Olympic bronze medal it won at Rio 2016.
The Dominicans certainly weren't overwhelmed, but Team USA never came off the gas, sweeping into the Toyko Olympics semifinals at Ariake Arena.
Six-foot-7 Brayelin Martínez provided a steady hand and fierce work at the net for the Dominicans, but the outcome was never in doubt during the U.S.'s 25-11, 25-20, 25-19 triumph.
With recently injured stars Jordyn Poulter and Jordan Thompson out of action, the U.S. looked sharper than ever at times, particularly when Annie Drews and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley had it going at the net. And they did, often, and typically were joined by Foluke Atinuke Gunderson (nee Akinradewo) in hammering away at the proud, plucky Dominicans.
In for Poulter as the starting setter, Oklahoma native, Penn State product and Italian pro league star Micha Hancock was a standout as well.
The U.S. will face Serbia in the semifinals.