By Scott Fowler

McClatchy Newspapers

BEIJING — The U.S. women’s indoor volleyball team avenged an earlier loss in these Olympics with a convincing win over Cuba Thursday.

The U.S. had lost to Cuba in straight sets during pool play. That result was exactly reversed when it counted most, however, as the Americans beat the Cubans, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17 in the semifinals to advance to the gold-medal match.

Cuba had won three of the past four Olympic gold medals in women’s volleyball. Several U.S. team members fell on the floor after the victory in jubilation.

The gold-medal match is Saturday. In that contest, the U.S. will face the winner of the Brazil-China semifinal scheduled for later Thursday in Beijing. Brazil, ranked No. 1 in the world, remains the favorite for the gold.

The U.S. has never won the gold medal in women’s indoor volleyball. It has only won medals twice in the 11 times this event has previously been contested in the Olympics (bronze in 1992, silver in 1984). The U.S. is now assured of at least a silver medal in 2008.