Olympics: Penn State volleyballers make Olympic gold medal history for USA

Penn State’s Haleigh Washington was instrumental in the first gold medal victory for the United States in women’s volleyball

It’s been a long time coming, but the United States women’s volleyball team finally got to celebrate winning a gold medal at the Olympics. As the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo were winding down, the United States won their first gold medal in Olympic history with a victory over Brazil. A pair of former Penn State volleyball stars were a part of the historic run to the gold.

Micha Hancock and Haleigh Washington were a part of the roster for the United States women’s volleyball team. Washington was one of the starters for the team.

“The hard work that we put in, the sweat, the tears, the blood, it’s been worth it,” Washington said in a postgame interview. “I am so proud to have done it with this group of women.”

Washington let the emotions flow in a post-match interview with NBC to reflect on being a part of making US volleyball history.

The United States has won three silver medals in women’s volleyball and two bronze medals. This is the first gold medal at the Olympics, although the team does have a collection of international tournament gold medals in events like the Pan American Games and FIVB World Grand Prix. But the ultimate goal, an Olympic gold, has eluded them until now.

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