U.S. reaches final in women's volleyball

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The American women's volleyball team posted an unexpectedly easy victory over Cuba Thursday and reached the Olympic gold medal game.

Fueled by Tayyiba Haneef-Park and Logan Tom, the United States recorded a 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 decision that sets up the possibility of the first Olympic gold medal for the American women.

The only U.S. loss in the round-robin portion of the tournament came in straight sets to Cuba.

Haneef-Park had nine kills and Tom had seven, helping the Americans keep up constant pressure that led to a host of Cuban miscues.

Cuba won the bronze medal in Athens and had won the gold medal in the three Olympics before that.

The United States will meet Brazil in the final. The Brazilians were a three-set winner over China in the second semifinal.