Resilient, improving USA women play Italy for Olympics volleyball gold

Italy’s Paola Egonu hits against the USA’s Chiaka Ogbogu, left, and Avery Skinner during their VNL quarterfinals match in June/Volleyball World photo [contact-form]

PARIS — Sunday’s Olympics women’s volleyball gold-medal match will cap both a 15-day-long tournament and a tremendous run for the USA women.

This team, held together at times the past three months by kinesiology tape, ice bags and intestinal fortitude, is on the unlikely cusp of winning it all.

The Americans (4-1) play Italy (5-0) at 1 p.m. local (7 a.m. Eastern...