The women's volleyball tournament is underway at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The top-ranked Italians faced off against the Dominican Republic as Italy pursues its first-ever medal. Also today, Poland is set to play Japan. Poland has not won a medal since 1968, and Japan is looking to rebound after being knocked out of the tournament quickly in Tokyo.
On the men's side of the bracket, the hosts and defending champion, France, opens its repeat campaign against Slovenia in Pool A. In the other match to close out the first matches of men's pool play, Canada takes on Serbia. Pool A is the only one on either side of the tournament with four teams ranked in the top 10 of the world rankings.
Here is everything you need to know.
Women's Pool C: Italy 3, Dominican Republic 1
Italy defeated the Dominican Republic in four sets on Sunday morning at South Paris Arena.
The Dominican Republic went down 15-10 in the first set and was never quite able to dig themselves out. Italy won the set 25-19 amidst a couple of contentious calls.
The Dominican Republic got off to a slow start in the second set, but kept things competitive throughout and climbed back to win, 26-24.
Both teams were evenly matched in the first set, trading points back-and-forth. Although the Dominican Republic shined on defense, it ultimately fell 25-21 in the third set.
Italy jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set and maintained an advantage throughout, winning the fourth set 25-18.
Italy will resume action vs. the Netherlands on Aug. 1. The Dominican Republic will play Turkiye on Aug. 1.
Women's Pool B: Poland 3, Japan 1
Fourth-ranked Poland enters Paris off a third-place finish in the Volleyball Nations League and is hoping to carry that momentum to a first medal since 1968. The Polish got their campaign off to a strong start, but not without a scare from seventh-ranked Japan.
The Japanese took a back-and-forth first set behind an incredible defensive effort and despite Poland taking a slight advantage in the middle of the set, Japan got its lead as high as five at 24-19, then killed off the set at 25-20.
However, Poland would come back and take control of the match in the second and third sets.
Poland was ahead for most of the second set, but Japan would simply never let them get too far ahead. Poland's biggest advantage late in the set was at 21-18 and they held that three-point advantage to take the set 25-22.
The third set is where things began to get crazy and Japan showed its relentless spirit. Poland got out to a major 20-12 lead and looked to be cruising to an easy set win, but Japan willed itself back into the set with that signature stingy defense. The Japanese forced the set back to 24-23, but Poland was able to hold them off and take the set, 25-23.
The fourth set was the epic of this match and Japan was nearly able to force a decisive fifth. Poland held a 22-18 advantage late in the set and looked to be ready to close it out, but Japan fought back and saw two set points at 25-24 and 26-25. Poland was just too much to handle, though, as they won three straight points, including a match-ending ace.
Poland's next match is Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET against Kenya, while Japan faces No. 2 Brazil Thursday at 7 a.m. ET.
Men's Pool A: France 3, Serbia 2
The defending gold medalist France began their quest for gold against 10th-ranked Serbia.
The French are hoping to become the first nation to repeat in men's volleyball since Team USA in 1984 and 1988. Both teams battled back-and-forth in the opening set, but France found themselves down 19-16. Monster blocks on defense and stellar shot placement allowed the French to climb back and tie the score at 21 apiece. But Serbia stayed strong and won the first set, 25-23, thanks to stellar play from Aleksandar Atanasijevic.
France jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage in the second set -- its first lead in the contest -- and it maintained a consistent five-point advantage throughout. The French team looked completely different in this second set compared to the first as they maintained control throughout. France won the set, 25-17.
The third set more resembled the first as both teams were evenly matched throughout until France began to pull slowly ahead and secure the win, 25-17.
France then tried to make a break for it in set four but Serbia did not go down easily as the score was tied at 14 about halfway through the match. Serbia fought to claim a 25-21 lead thanks to three set points that forced a fifth set.
Not to be denied, the French team stormed to a 11-2 lead to open the fifth set and would go on to win handily, 15-6.
France won the match, 3-2, against Serbia on Sunday afternoon at South Paris Arena.
Men's Pool A: Slovenia 3, Canada 1
Canada and Slovenia wrapped up the first full matchday of play in the men's volleyball tournament.
Slovenia are the only debutants in the tournament, but showed no nerves or fear of the Olympic stage. The Slovenians used an incredible defensive effort in a very tight first set to take control late on, out-digging Canada 10-3 in the first set alone. The teams were tied at 20-20 when Slovenia went on a 5-1 run to take the first set.
It was pretty much the same story in the second set, with the biggest lead being just four points for either side. Slovenia pulled ahead 20-18, then used another late run in the set to win 25-20, sealing it with an ace.
However, Canada did have a punch back left in them. Up against the brink, they controlled the third set and led pretty much the whole way en route to a commanding 25-20 win.
That would be the last punch they had though, as Slovenia delivered the knockout blow with another late run in the fourth set to seal the match. The Slovenians trailed by four at one point in the set, but rallied again to pull off a 25-21 set win and take their first ever Olympic match 3-1.
The debutants showed they can compete at the highest level and will be a tough out going forward. In the most competitive group in the draw, the three points they picked up will be crucial. Slovenia's next match is against is Tuesday against Serbia at 11 a.m. ET, while Canada faces France just a few hours later at 3 p.m.