on is part of a trio of setters that is playing a key role for the top-ranked Americans in their chase for the first ever U.S. gold in womens volleyball at these Olympics.Alisha Glass, Carli Lloyd and Thompson huddle together during timeouts with their position coach, and words fly around for a

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Kelsey Robinson lifted Courtney Thompson into a congratulatory embrace when the match finally ended, celebrating the reserve setters timely ace serve in a hard-fought win against Italy.It took something from everyone for the United States womens volleyball team to stay unbeaten in Rio.Its so special when you see Courtney get an ace, Robinson said. Were lifting her up. Thats something that people dont see shes been working on every single day outside of practice.Thompson is part of a trio of setters that is playing a key role for the top-ranked Americans in their chase for the first ever U.S. gold in womens volleyball at these Olympics.Alisha Glass, Carli Lloyd and Thompson huddle together during timeouts with their position coach, and words fly around for about a minute as they compare notes before returning to play.Its a rare roster to carry three setters on a 12-player Olympic squad, yet that is how valuable each of these women is to coach Karch Kiraly and the U.S. quest. The quarterfinal-bound Americans (4-0) held off the Italians 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 on Friday. It marked the first time Italy won a set in four Olympic matches.While coach Tom Black is often focused on the opponents tendencies, he trusts the three setters to let each other know if were letting it rip or we need to pick up the speed.Lloyd earned her spot with a remarkable run leading up to Rio. At 31, Thompson is the oldest player for the Americans and their heart and soul behind the scenes -- and typically the first to bust a dance move in the corner of the court where the backups stand.Shes absolutely on the court, Glass said of Thompsons influence. Thats her, shes never not going to be somewhere, you just feel her no matter what ... She just has such a presence. Theres no way we come here without her and do as well as were doing.In May 2013, it was Glass and Thompson along with a few other young setters not in Rio who set the example for the Americans during this four-year Olympic cycle on how to commit to being a team of constant learners, driven to be better in every aspect of the game -- from their technical play such as a pivot move they worked to perfect to make the offense faster and unpredictable, to the mental side and everything else like tireless work in the weight room.They were the position group that embraced that the earliest and led the charge and modeled it for the other positions, with Tom leading them early in 2013, Kiraly said. We started running our offense faster, which just means the sets dont go high out to the sideline, they go low and fast.No drama. No hard feelings about playing time. Just a joint desire to reach the top of the medal stand in Rio.Its different than overseas. We dont have that same relationship with other setters and a setting coach, Lloyd said. I love it.Thompson, who was called upon to fill in for injured setter Lindsey Berg in London four years ago, understands that her moments stepping on the Olympic court before leaving Brazil might be limited.Every person in this program has an important role and I certainly feel that way about mine, she said. Its unique, but its for a reason.Thompson is constantly talking, moving, encouraging from every angle.Shes the spine of the team in a lot of ways, Black said.During some matches, players in the sub box rub their hands together as if warming them then sending in the good energy, added Thompson.Shes always cheering.Nice ups!Nice pass, you guys!And when the Americans needed to secure their Olympic berth through a second-chance qualifier back in January at Lincoln, Nebraska, it was Thompson who sent out a group email ahead of time letting her teammates know the time was now. The U.S. had already missed a chance at last years World Cup in Tokyo.One night in Lincoln, Thompson, Nicole Fawcett and Robinson ran through Pinnacle Bank Arena with arms waving pretending we won the gold medal, Thompson said.They hope to do it for real in Rio.Cheap Nike Shox .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Nike Shox Uk . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. http://www.nikeshoxuk.com/ . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Cheap Nike Shox Uk . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Wholesale Nike Shox . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason.Its possible that by the time the Jon Lester takes the mound to start tonights game that five of the six division champs will have been crowned, including all of the National League titles. However, with a three-teams-for-two-spots wild-card race in the NL in progress, tonights match-up of NL Central rivals is far from meaningless.While their wild-card foes, the Mets and the Giants, spent the weekend facing opponents that may lose 90-plus games this year, the Cardinals were tasked with traveling to Wrigley Field to play the best team in baseball. Through two games of the series, though, the Cardinals havent lost any ground as all three teams split their Friday and Saturday contests. St. Louis will send its best pitcher this year, and presumed starter of the NL wild-card game should they get there, Carlos Martinez to the mound. Thanks to a rotation otherwise full of starters witth ERAs well above 4.dddddddddddd.00, the Cardinals have to feel confident with Martinez and his 3.16 ERA manning the bump, but their enthusiasm must be tempered by the realization theyll be facing the Cubs ace, Jon Lester. Since joining the Cubs as a free-agent signing before the 2015 season, Lester has pitched 45 1/3 innings against St. Louis and has a 2.18 ERA.With this marking the end of Sunday Night Baseball telecasts, it means our Chalk handicappers will be gearing up for the postseason as well, and for the second year in a row, our team of handicappers will enter October as net winners over the course of the regular season. Tonight we get divergent side plays from Joe Peta (11-8, +5.08 units on the season) and Andrew Lange (6-8, -2.08 units). ' ' '