RIO DE JANEIRO -- Before they took the court and won bronze, they gathered in the locker room one final time. Each player on the U.S. womens volleyball took a turn to speak.Jordan Larson told her teammates she loved them and would fight for every one of them.Alisha Glass made sure they all knew there was nowhere shed rather be now than right here in Rio.Captain Christa Dietzen? She didnt need an Olympic medal. She already understood what this tight-knit team was all about, and she also knew it sure would be nice to wear one home as she heads into retirement and prepares to start a family. They thanked one another for the time and effort over four hard years.Beach star Kerri Walsh Jennings sent a note of her own: Go get a bronze. Just as Walsh Jennings and April Ross did.Im just really proud to be a part of this program, Larson said. Its come a long way. Im just really happy because there are a lot of good people who deserve this. A lot of people just gave their hearts and soul to this.Player-turned-coach Karch Kiraly, the only person to win Olympic volleyball gold as a beach and indoor player, addressed each woman. He spoke of his admiration and acknowledged those players back home who didnt make the cut.Just by stepping on the court Saturday, Foluke Akinradewo showed how this squad stuck together. She returned from an injury to her left leg that forced her out early in the semifinal loss to Serbia. The star middle blocker took charge as the top-ranked Americans bounced back two days later to beat the Netherlands 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-19 on Saturday.After Kim Hills ace on match point, the U.S. women fell into an embrace. Kiraly hugged his coaches and brought the women into a huddle for one last cheer.In a way, selfishly, I wanted a gold medal to almost prove the way this culture is, or the way the culture has grown and the foundation that weve built, almost to prove it right -- that the way we did it was right, Dietzen said. A medals not going to prove that. A medal doesnt define this team. It will never define this team.Reserve setter Courtney Thompson, the Americans motivator, joined Dietzen in announcing immediately after the match that her volleyball days are done. Then they joked about meeting for a crack-of-dawn spin class later in the week.I have a whole new respect for everyone that wins a bronze medal, Thompson said. Its not easy, 48 hours later.This group leaves the Olympics again without the big prize. The last three Games went this way: Beijing 2008, silver; London 2012, silver; Rio de Janeiro 2016, bronze.Our team dealt with some real pain and heartache, heartbreak, a couple of days ago, said Kiraly, who thanked Walsh Jennings for her gesture. Im incredibly proud of how within hours they were preparing, carrying that heartbreak, but preparing to be good and to finish strong. I also never had any understanding of how good a bronze medal could feel, and it feels incredible right now. Were so happy to finish this tournament on this note.The Netherlands shined, playing in its first Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta Games. The Dutch pushed the U.S. to five sets in pool play on Aug. 8 and put womens volleyball on the map at home with a gutsy, never-give-up style.Now, the Americans are left to try again in Tokyo 2020 for the programs first gold, with certain new leaders emerging to guide that run: Hill, Kelsey Robinson, Kayla Banwarth.Thompson and Carli Lloyd wrapped themselves together with an American flag. Banwarth lifted the Stars and Stripes above her head.These women plan to build on this even if it wasnt the result they planned for all along. Still, it was far better than departing South America empty-handed.Theres been a lot of tears the past couple days, Hill said. And not just tears of sadness before this match, tears of gratitude and just joy at this experience these past four years, in this tournament and being with this group of people, this special group. Its been such an amazing ride. 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NEW ORLEANS -- Marcus LoVett hit 7 of 8 shots for 18 points and St. Johns tied the school record with 16 3-pointers to race to a 95-75 win over Tulane on Friday night, ending a five-game losing streak.Federico Mussini and Bashir Ahmed added 17 points apiece and Shamorie Ponds 15 for the Red Storm (3-5), who shot 55 percent (33 of 60) from the field and 13 of 15 from the foul line.Tulane (1-7) shot a respectable 8 of 18 behind the arc (44 percent) but St. Johns was 16 of 25, matching the record set on March 18, 20144, against Robert Morris.ddddddddddddhe Red Storm made its first 3, missed its second and then reeled off nine in a row to lead 30-15. They led 51-32 at the half, making 11 of 14 behind the arc (79 percent) and 17 of 28 overall (61 percent).Ahmed and Ponds had four 3s apiece, LoVett and Mussini three, combining to go 14 of 19.Ryan Smith led Tulane with 17 points and Malik Morgan had 15. 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