BEIJING — The United States is guaranteed its first women's indoor volleyball medal in 16 years after sweeping Cuba, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17, in the Olympic semifinals today at Capital Gymnasium.

Cuba had handed the U.S. its only defeat of the tournament in preliminary play, 3-0.

Brazil was to meet China later today in the other semifinal. The final is Saturday.

Ex-University of Hawai'i player Kim Willoughby's savage spikes from the right side ended both the first and second games. She finished with six kills.

Former UH player Robyn Ah Mow-Santos and Punahou alum Lindsey Berg shared setting duties. UH alum Heather Bown had two kills for the U.S.

Tayyiba Haneef-Park had nine kills and Logan Tom added seven kills and three blocks for the United States.

The U.S. had not medaled in women's volleyball since garnering bronze in 1992 at Barcelona. It finished fourth in Sydney in 2000 and fifth in Athens in 2004.

The U.S. appeared in the gold-medal match in 1984 in Los Angeles, where it lost to a China team featuring Lang Ping, now the U.S. coach.