Illini Olympic History // Tokyo 2020 // How to Watch
Nine former Fighting Illini student-athletes are set to represent their countries in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Opening Ceremonies are on Friday, July 23.
Follow along as they compete for Gold over the next two weeks of competition in Tokyo.
BARTSCH-HACKLEY, POULTER & VIRTUE HELP LEAD TEAM USA TO FIRST-EVER OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL | AUGUST 8
A trio of former Illinois volleyball greats are now Olympic gold medalists as Michelle Bartsch-Hackley and Jordyn Poulter, along with USA Volleyball assistant coach Erin Virtue, helped lead Team USA to its first-ever gold medal in women's volleyball with a dominating 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 24-14) victory over Brazil on Sunday at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
It marks the sixth medal earned by the United States in women's volleyball adding to its three silver medals (1984, 2008, 2012) and two bronze medals (1992, 2016).
Bartsch-Hackley and Poulter also become the first Illinois female athletes to earn gold medals and just the third and fourth Illini female athletes to medal at an Olympic Games following bronze medals from Tonya Buford-Bailey in the 400m hurdles at the 1996 Olympic Games and Aja Evans in bobsled at the 2014 Olympic Games.
The United States finished is tournament with a 7-1 record and dominated the playoff matches with sweeps in the quarterfinal, semifinal and championship rounds. For their efforts, five members of Team USA were named to the Olympic Dream Team, highlighted by Bartsch-Hackley being named the Best Outside Hitter and Poulter earning Best Setter of the tournament.
USA controlled the gold medal match from start to finish, with Bartsch-Hackley posting 14 points on 11 kills, two blocks and one ace, while adding three digs and 11 successful receptions. Poulter, who came back from an ankle injury suffered during pool play to set in the semifinals and finals, helped her team to a .418 hitting efficiency. She totaled 36 assists, six digs and one point with a kill.
"Honestly, the last three matches we've been so focused on the task at hand; focused on the point at hand," Poulter said. "For us to be able to sweep in the quarters, in the semis and in the finals, I think it just shows how locked in we were and how ready we were."
US WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TO PLAY FOR GOLD WITH SWEEP OF SERBIA | AUGUST 6
The U.S. Women's Volleyball Team will play for the gold medal on Sunday after beating Serbia decisively on Thursday, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23) at the Olympic Games.
The U.S. Women (6-1) will play Brazil (7-0) in the gold medal match scheduled for 11:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. Korea and Serbia will play for bronze.
It will be the fourth straight Olympic Games that will see the U.S. Women playing for a medal and the third time since 2008 that they will play for gold. Overall, the team has won three silver medals (1992, 2008 and 2012) and two bronze (1984 and 2016).
"(The veterans) didn't even need to talk about it. I think so many of us watched that match," setter Jordyn Poulter said. "I am sure there was a chip on their shoulders. All of us who play for the USA have been chasing history for so long."
Poulter set the team to a .333 hitting efficiency and scored two points on two blocks. Michelle Bartsch-Hackley finished with nine points on seven kills and two blocks, while adding eight digs and five successful receptions.
Poulter, who played in her first match since rolling her right ankle in the team's final pool play match against Italy, said "it shows what kind of support staff we have available to us as USA players. The resources we have, whether it's other PTs or our own PT Kara Kessens, put so much effort into making us feel good and making us feel healthy. It's amazing the knowledge and the resources we have access to. I am just so grateful for all the people who aren't physically on the court who make this whole engine run."
USWVNT INTO SEMIFINALS AFTER SWEEP OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | AUGUST 2
The U.S. Women's National Team assured itself the chance to play for a medal with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-19) quarterfinal sweep of the Dominican Republic at the Olympic Games on Wednesday in Tokyo.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley had 12 points for USA, to go along with 13 successful receptions and seven digs.
After being injured during the United States pool play match against Italy, setter Jordyn Poulter was dressed for the Dominican Republic match, with head coach Karch Kiraly saying she was "available if needed."
In Friday's semifinals, the U.S. Women (5-1) will play Serbia (5-1) at either 11 p.m. Aug. 5 or 7 a.m. Aug. 6 CT.
CHECK OUT THE ACTION FROM BARTSCH-HACKLEY & POULTER IN POOL PLAY | AUGUST 3
Gallery: (8-3-2021) Illini Alums at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
US WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL FINISHES POOL PLAY WITH FIVE-SET WIN OVER ITALY | AUGUST 2
The U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team wrapped pool play on Sunday night with a come-from-behind five-set (21-25, 25-16, 25-27, 25-16, 15-12) victory over Italy at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The U.S. Women (4-1) won Pool B thanks to Turkey (3-2) beating the Russian Olympic Committee team (3-2), 3-2. The U.S. will play the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals on Aug. 4.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley registered 17 points on 13 kills, two blocks and two aces, while adding 12 digs and 25 successful receptions. Starting setter Jordyn Poulter left the match at the start of the third set with an apparent ankle injury. There is no current update on her condition.
DAVID KENDZIERA WRAPS OLYMPICS IN 400m HURDLES SEMIS | AUGUST 1
Fighting Illini track and field alum David Kendziera ended his Olympics run in the semifinals of 400m hurdles on Sunday morning. He sprinted to the lead through hurdle three and stayed in contention for the next five hurdles before dropping back slightly and placing third in 48.67.
PIETERS, DETRY END OLYMPIC RUN IN TOKYO | AUGUST 1
Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry, the former Fighting Illini men's golf greats representing their native Belgium at the Tokyo Olympics, ended their quest for the medal stand on Sunday, finishing tied for 16th and 22nd, respectively, in the 60 player field at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Pieters, who finished fourth at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, shot a 273 (-11) to finish seven strokes off the pace of gold medalist Xander Schauffele (266) of the United States, six behind silver medalist Rory Sabbatini (267) of Slovakia, and just four strokes back of a group of seven competitors that finished with a playoff to determine bronze, won by Chinese Taipei's CT Pan (269). Pieters was stellar for most of the event with an opening round of 65 and scores of 64 and 68 in Rounds 3 and 4, but suffered a setback with his 5-over 76 in Round 2.
Detry was more consistent throughout the event, finishing at 10-under 274 with four consecutive rounds under par. However, he was unable to post a breakout low score needed to jump into medal contention, shooting 70-67-68-69 to finish one shot behind Pieters.
TEAM USA FALLS TO ROC | JULY 31
The U.S. Women's Volleyball National Team dropped its first match at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo on Friday, falling to the team from the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-19). Teams from Russia are playing under the Russian Olympic Committee flag these Olympic Games as part of a penalty for doping violations.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley scored three points on three kills and four digs. Setters Jordyn Poulter and Micha Hancock each scored a point. They combined to set the U.S. Women to a .311 hitting efficiency.
Poulter - appearing in her first Olympics for Team USA - celebrated her 25th birthday on Saturday in Tokyo.
The U.S. Women (3-1) will finish pool play at 7:05 p.m. PT on Sunday against Italy (3-0).
DAVID KENDZIERA ADVANCES TO 400m HURDLES SEMIS | JULY 31
Fighting Illini track and field alum David Kendziera made his Olympic debut on Friday, finishing fourth in the men's 400m hurdles prelims in 49.23 in heat No. 4 to claim an automatic qualifying berth to the semifinals. The semifinals of the men's 400m hurdles are set for Sunday morning, starting at 7 a.m. CT.
DETRY, PIETERS LOOKING FOR STRONG FINISH IN TOKYO | JULY 31
Fighting Illini men's golf alums Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters are tied for 14th with 18 holes remaining in the Tokyo Olympics men's golf competition.
The Belgian duo have each shot 54-hole totals of 205 (-8) and sit six strokes off the pace of leader Xander Schauffele of the United States and four strokes behind Great Britain's Paul Casey and Mexico's Carlos Ortiz who are tied for third. Host Japan's Hideki Matsuyma (200) is second.
Pieters made the biggest climb in Round 3, ascending 26 spots up the leaderboard with a 7-under 64 to match Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood for the lowest round of the day. Pieters teed off on No. 10 in Round 3 due to a schedule change following the weather-delayed finish of Round 2, and posted an eagle and six birdies to offset just one bogey.
Detry shot a 3-under 68 and moved up one spot. He was 2-under at the turn and after going bogey-birdie-bogey on 10, 11 and 12, Detry finished strong with birdies on Nos. 14 and 17 to keep pace with his countryman.
Detry is slated to tee off at 8:14 p.m. CT with Denmark's Joachim Hansen and Colin Morikawa of the United States. Pieters is in the following group, teeing off at 8:25 p.m. CT, along with Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Italy's Guido Migliozzi.
Golf Channel will provide live coverage from 5:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. CT. The event can also be streamed at NBCOlympics.com or GolfChannel.com.
DETRY MAKES BIG JUMP IN WEATHER-SHORTENED ROUND 2 | JULY 30
Thomas Detry made a big move up the leaderboard in Round 2 of the Tokyo Olympics men's golf competition on Friday, jumping 16 spots from a tie for 31st into a share of 15th with a 67 (-4) to give him a two-round total of 5-under 137. Detry shot even-par with one bogey and one birdie on the front before catching fire after the turn where he tallied five birdies and just one bogey. He is six strokes off the pace of current leader Xander Schauffele of the United States, and three strokes outside of the top-three, finishing his round before play was stopped due to inclement weather.
Detry's former Illini teammate Thomas Pieters, also representing Team Belgium, entered his second round tied for third place after an opening 65 (-6). But the 2012 NCAA Champion struggled late in his round with double-bogeys on No. 14 and 18 to finish with a 5-over 76 in Round 2. He is currently tied for 39th with a 36-hole total of 141 (-1).
Round 2 will resume at 5:45 p.m. CT tonight and Round 3 tee times set to begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. CT with live coverage on GolfChannel, and streaming options available at NBCOlympics.com or GolfChannel.com.
PIETERS POSTS TOP-3 SCORE, DETRY UNDER PAR IN ROUND 1 | JULY 29
Thomas Pieters shot an impressive round of 65 (-6) to open play at the Tokyo Olympics men's golf competition in a tie for 3rd on Thursday at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Pieters, who finished fourth at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro for Team Belgium, was bogey-free in his round with four birdies and an eagle. He is two strokes behind leader Sepp Straka of Austria, and one of the pace of second-place Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand entering Round 2.
Pieters' countryman and former Illini teammate Thomas Detry finished his opening round at -1, offsetting a pair of bogeys on the par-4 third and 12th holes, with a run of three bridies in a four-hole stretch on Nos. 5, 6 and 8. Detry is one stroke outside of the top 20 with 54 holes remaining over the next three days.
Detry is set to tee off in Round 2 at 5:41 p.m. CT, while Pieters' round will begin at 7:25 p.m. CT.
Golf Channel will provide live coverage from 5:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. CT. The event can also be streamed at NBCOlympics.com or GolfChannel.com..
USA WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL EARNS FIVE-SET VICTORY OVER TURKEY | JULY 29
For the third time this season, the United States women's volleyball team defeated Turkey, but not without a challenge from the European side. The U.S. went up 2-0 early, before Turkey battled back to force a decisive fifth set as Team USA then finished off the victory in the final set, 3-2 (25-19, 25-20, 17-25, 20-25, 15-12).
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley led the team with 23 successful receptions, while adding six points and five digs. Jordyn Poulter set the U.S. Women to a .320 hitting efficiency and totaled seven digs and a block.
The U.S. Women (3-0) will continue pool play on Saturday (July 31) against the Russian Olympic Committee team (2-1) at 9:05 p.m. CT.
RAM OUT OF MIXED DOUBLES | JULY 28
Rajeev Ram lost in the first round of mixed doubles. He and partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands lost 4-6,7-5, 8-10 to Laura Siegemund and Kevin Krawietz of Germany.
DETRY, PIETERS TEE OFF TONIGHT AT TOKYO OLYMPICS | JULY 28
Illini men's golf alumni Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters – both representing their native Belgium – begin the chase for Olympic gold this evening when the men's golf competition tees off at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Pieters tees off at 5:30 p.m. CT in the first threesome out on the course for Round 1, while Detry is scheduled to begin his round at 7:36 p.m. CT.
Golf Channel will provide live, overnight coverage of the event from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. CT over the next four days, with re-airs of each round scheduled during the following day. The event can also be streamed at NBCOlympics.com or GolfChannel.com.
RAM LOSES IN THE SECOND ROUND | JULY 27
Rajeev Ram and partner Frances Tiafoe fell to Ivan Dodig and Marin Čilic from Croatia 3-6,5-7 on Tuesday.
TEAM USA MOVES TO 2-0 AFTER DEFEAT OF NO. 2 CHINA | JULY 27
In a clash between the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the world, the The U.S. Women's National Team earned a 3-0 (29-27, 25-22, 25-21) win over China at the Olympic Games.
Michelle Bartsch-Hackley posted 15 points on 15 kills, to go along with 12 digs and 29 successful receptions. Jordyn Poulter set the U.S. Women to a .357 hitting efficiency. U.S. Women's Assistant Coach Erin Virtue was back on the bench for the match against China. Virtue was put into quarantine after it was determined she was a "close contact" of someone who had tested positive for COVID. Virtue has not tested positive.
The U.S. Women (2-0) will continue Olympic pool play on Thursday against Turkey (1-0) at 5:45 a.m. PT.
BARTSCH-HACKLEY, POULTER LEAD TEAM USA TO OLYMPIC OPENING WIN | JULY 25
The USA women's volleyball team opened its Olympic Games with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-20) win over Argentina at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Saturday. Michelle Bartsch-Hackley and Jordyn Poulter both made their Olympic debut and started for USA, with Bartsch-Hackley posting 12 points on 10 kills and two aces. Poulter scored two points on two kills, while combining with backup Micha Hancock to set the U.S. to a .400 hitting efficiency.
Team USA - ranked No. 1 in the world - will be back in action on at 9:05 p.m. CT on Monday against World No. 2 China. Check NBCOlympics.com for live stream and broadcast information.
RAM WINS MEN'S DOUBLE FIRST ROUND MATCH | JULY 24
Rajeeve Ram and partner Frances Tiafoe defeated Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev 6-7(3), 5-7(5), 12-10 in the first round of the men's doubles tournament.
BULL QUALIFIES FOR HIGH BAR FINAL | JULY 24
Tyson Bull qualified for the high bar apparatus final early Saturday morning. Competing as a high bar specialist, Bull scored a 14.433 and placed seventh on the apparatus to qualify for the final. Bull also competed on the parallel bars, hitting a 13.566.
Bull will compete for a medal in the high bar apparatus final on Tuesday, Aug. 3 starting at 3 AM CT.
NINE FORMER ILLINI HEADED TO TOKYO | JULY 22
