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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Kelsey Robinson lifted Courtney Thompson into a congratulatory embrace when the match finally ended, celebrating the reserve setters timely ace serve in a hard-fought win against Italy.It took something from everyone for the United States womens volleyball team to stay unbeaten in Rio.Its so special when you see Courtney get an ace, Robinson said. Were lifting her up. Thats something that people dont see shes been working on every single day outside of practice.Thompson is part of a trio of setters that is playing a key role for the top-ranked Americans in their chase for the first ever U.S. gold in womens volleyball at these Olympics.Alisha Glass, Carli Lloyd and Thompson huddle together during timeouts with their position coach, and words fly around for about a minute as they compare notes before returning to play.Its a rare roster to carry three setters on a 12-player Olympic squad, yet that is how valuable each of these women is to coach Karch Kiraly and the U.S. quest. The quarterfinal-bound Americans (4-0) held off the Italians 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 on Friday. It marked the first time Italy won a set in four Olympic matches.While coach Tom Black is often focused on the opponents tendencies, he trusts the three setters to let each other know if were letting it rip or we need to pick up the speed.Lloyd earned her spot with a remarkable run leading up to Rio. At 31, Thompson is the oldest player for the Americans and their heart and soul behind the scenes -- and typically the first to bust a dance move in the corner of the court where the backups stand.Shes absolutely on the court, Glass said of Thompsons influence. Thats her, shes never not going to be somewhere, you just feel her no matter what ... She just has such a presence. Theres no way we come here without her and do as well as were doing.In May 2013, it was Glass and Thompson along with a few other young setters not in Rio who set the example for the Americans during this four-year Olympic cycle on how to commit to being a team of constant learners, driven to be better in every aspect of the game -- from their technical play such as a pivot move they worked to perfect to make the offense faster and unpredictable, to the mental side and everything else like tireless work in the weight room.They were the position group that embraced that the earliest and led the charge and modeled it for the other positions, with Tom leading them early in 2013, Kiraly said. We started running our offense faster, which just means the sets dont go high out to the sideline, they go low and fast.No drama. No hard feelings about playing time. Just a joint desire to reach the top of the medal stand in Rio.Its different than overseas. We dont have that same relationship with other setters and a setting coach, Lloyd said. I love it.Thompson, who was called upon to fill in for injured setter Lindsey Berg in London four years ago, understands that her moments stepping on the Olympic court before leaving Brazil might be limited.Every person in this program has an important role and I certainly feel that way about mine, she said. Its unique, but its for a reason.Thompson is constantly talking, moving, encouraging from every angle.Shes the spine of the team in a lot of ways, Black said.During some matches, players in the sub box rub their hands together as if warming them then sending in the good energy, added Thompson.Shes always cheering.Nice ups!Nice pass, you guys!And when the Americans needed to secure their Olympic berth through a second-chance qualifier back in January at Lincoln, Nebraska, it was Thompson who sent out a group email ahead of time letting her teammates know the time was now. The U.S. had already missed a chance at last years World Cup in Tokyo.One night in Lincoln, Thompson, Nicole Fawcett and Robinson ran through Pinnacle Bank Arena with arms waving pretending we won the gold medal, Thompson said.They hope to do it for real in Rio. Nike Blazer Shoes For Sale . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Nike Blazer Wholesale Cheap . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. http://www.cheapnikeblazer.com/ . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Cheap Blazers Online .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Blazers Online Cheap . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Theres not always a right-or-wrong answer to the question of whether they should stay or go, even with hindsight.Just ask Alabama senior safety Eddie Jackson, the Crimson Tides All-American safety who elected to bypass the NFL draft following last season and return for his senior year -- only to have that season cut short by a broken left leg last week.Hes done a fantastic job for us, and Im just sick for him and his family, Alabama coach Nick Saban said. I hate it that its one of the things about sports, all sports, and that we have to deal with sometimes as injuries.Across the Southeastern Conference and the nation, players like Jackson weigh the benefits and risks of leaving school early.For some, the decision is largely a result of an immediate need for financial stability, for themselves and their families. Others see a potentially greater payday if they wait one more season before turning pro, with possibly 13 games -- as many as 15, in the case of Alabama last season -- to prove themselves on the collegiate level.Jacksons gamble ended with a season-ending injury. It was a heartbreaking moment for one of the SECs best, but the truth is it wasnt a worst-case scenario.Jackson still has the chance to recover from leg surgery and prove himself to NFL scouts, and he has eight games as a senior, filled with highlights for talent evaluators to study.The situation was much different for former Arkansas offensive lineman Denver Kirkland, who was a junior when he left the Razorbacks and declared for the NFL following last season -- only to go undrafted.While Kirkland has since recovered from his disappointment, signing with Oakland and being promoted to the Raiders active roster late last month, his decision was one Arkansas coach Bret Bielema lamented following the draft.So much so that Bielema discussed the possibility of a rules change last spring , one that would allow undrafted underclassmen to return to college without losing their playing eligibility.If (an underclassman) ccould sit down with NFL people or personnel people that are making the decisions firsthand, I think it could be a great resource, Bielema said.dddddddddddd. And you know what? It works out better for everybody. Graduation rates to go up. Success rates go up. Failure rates go down. Kids are in school longer. Kids are in preparation to be in the NFL to play longer.While Jacksons injury will serve as a cautionary tale to underclassmen considering a jump to the NFL, its worth noting several other SEC standouts have benefited greatly from returning for their senior seasons this year.Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams, Reuben Foster and O.J. Howard have each played well for the No. 1 Crimson Tide, while Auburn defensive linemen Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson have been at the forefront of the Tigers resurgence. Also, Florida seniors Marcus Maye and Jarrad Davis returned after considering the NFL -- and are two of the top three tacklers on the SECs top-ranked defense.Maye, who has emerged from the shadow of former teammates and first-round NFL draft picks Vernon Hargreaves and Keanu Neal to become a stabilizing force for the Gators secondary, called Jacksons injury saddening and said he felt badly for the Alabama safety.You know, you want to come back, but you dont want to take the chance of getting hurt, Maye said. .So, a lot of things play a part in making the decision to come back.For Mississippi coach Hugh Freeze, the decision whether to stay or go is a clear-cut one -- even following the Jackson injury. He believes you stay in college unless youre sure youre a first rounder.Its just to me, its worth it to stay, Freeze said. He could get hurt in his first game in the league also. I dont know -- to me you stay and get your degree unless youre a sure first rounder.---AP Sports Writers Mark Long, John Zenor, David Brandt, Brett Martel and Steve Megargee contributed to this report. 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