From the Sand to Greens to the Water, Team USA Turns Up the Heat

Beach Volleyball Moves On to the Semifinals in a Thriller

Kaylie Beck and Calista Wotton opened the morning with a dominant performance against Poland, staying focused and composed as they powered to a 2–0 victory (21–11, 21–15). Riding that momentum into the afternoon, the U.S. duo delivered a virtually flawless match in a gripping showdown with Ukraine (2). After splitting the first two sets, Beck and Wotton surged ahead in the tiebreak to win 21–17, 22–24, 15–10—punching their ticket to the semifinals.

This marks the first time since the 2005 Deaflympics, when beach volleyball made its debut, that the United States has advanced this far in the tournament. Ukraine, a perennial medal contender, was left stunned as Team USA celebrated a historic win. The Americans will face Lithuania tomorrow in the semifinals.

Johnson/Miller Lose in a Heartbreaker

It was a dramatic day for the Mixed Team Foursomes, where Ashlyn Johnson and James McGowin Miller finished in fourth place at -1. Johnson and Miller were outstanding in regulation play, highlighted by Johnson’s clutch birdie on the 17th hole that pulled Team USA into a tie for third and forced a playoff.

In the playoff, a missed short putt by Johnson ultimately cost the pair the bronze, but their performance remained nothing short of outstanding. The duo walks away proud—and motivated—as they continue their campaign this week.

4x200 Women’s Freestyle Relay

In one of the most compelling comebacks of the meet, the USA Deaf Swimming women’s 4x200 freestyle relay team—Samantha Fujii, Quinn Cannon, Brooke Thompson, and Carli Cronk—rallied from last place to seize the bronze medal. Cronk dove in as the anchor with the weight of the world on her shoulders—then delivered a stunning surge, overtaking three swimmers in mere seconds to pull the U.S. from last place into third, securing Bronze.

A dramatic twist came moments later when Italy, the initial gold-medal winner, was disqualified after a swimmer exited the pool before Kazakhstan finished. This temporarily elevated the U.S. squad to Silver. Italy has since filed a protest, and as of this release, the investigation remains ongoing.

For more of the day’s event results, visit our results webpage.

As always, you can follow the U.S. Teams’ schedules, results, as well as follow every highlight, moment, and every story as the Games continue across Tokyo at our website: usdeafsports.org.