U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team 2012: Dominant U.S. Women Destined for Gold

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Team USA faced Brazil in the final round of indoor volleyball and was able to cap off an impressive run with a gold medal. 

Four years later, the United States and Brazil are in London for the 2012 Olympics and are once again playing each other for the gold in the finals. 

Only this time, it's not the men. It's the women. 

The U.S. men's team was expected to go on a run in 2012 and perhaps bring home a gold medal, but a loss to Italy in the quarterfinals put a damper on its dreams. 

However, the women have stepped in to fill the void in what has been an amazing run through the bracket. 

During the preliminary rounds, the women remained undefeated after taking down Korea and Brazil with 3-1 scores, while sweeping China, Serbia and Turkey. 

The quarterfinals began, and the women were able to continue their undefeated record with a 3-0 victory over the Dominican Republic, despite falling behind 8-6 during the second set. 

The victory sent Team USA into the semifinals for a rematch against the South Koreans. 

South Korea took one set from the US in the preliminary rounds, but it was convincingly swept in the semifinals rematch with a score of 25-20, 25-22, 25-22. 

The U.S. women have won 21 total sets throughout the 2012 Olympic Games while losing only two. 

The remarkably lopsided victories make them a clear favorite over Brazil in the final round, especially since they already defeated Brazil in a 3-1 victory during the preliminary rounds. 

A repeat performance will result in them winning the championship with ease, but overconfidence is also something to be concerned about. 

Frankly, the women haven't been thoroughly challenged up to this point. If things begin to fall apart in the finals and Brazil gets off to roaring start, the U.S. could theoretically struggle to regain its focus since it has yet to be placed in a hopeless situation.

But then again, there's a reason the Americans haven't been in such a situation—they are the best team in London.

If Team USA is able to avoid a mental defeat, then it'll add yet another gold medal to its country's resume.

The final round will take place on Saturday, August 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET.