The United States Women's Volleyball Team is off to a great start in the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix as they prepare for the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The number one seeded Americans took on Italy to begin the tournament on Friday. After dropping their first set, they rallied to win the next three. They then played the host country, Turkey, whom they also beat 3-1, but that one lost set was a resounding 17-25 defeat. Coach Karch Kiraly suggested that their dropped set was a positive for the team.

"It’s been a nice July 4 first of all. Our team has a wonderful spirit about it." Coach Kiraly said after the match with Turkey. "Everybody dressed up for practice in the loudest, boldest, proudest red white and blue that we could put together which was really fun, and then finished it out with a good match. I love it that Turkey came back and took us apart in the second set. They really served us well and put us in some serious reception stress and so we had to work through that and I think our passers did a nice job, especially Kayla Banwarth, to get us back on track and playing well.

The U.S. finished their time in Turkey with a clean sweep of Belgium (25-19, 25-20, 25-18). The next two weekends will take place in Russia and Hong Kong, before finishing the tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. As the host country, the United States is already guaranteed a spot in the finals, though victories in the early stages is important for seeding. 

The U.S. is not the only country to be undefeated through their first three matches. 2012 Olympic champions Brazil walked out without a blemish, as did China. 

The U.S. Women are attempting to avenge their loss in the Olympics, where they walked out as the silver medalists. The won the World Championships in Italy last year, defeating China 3-1 in the final. After losing to Brazil 3-0 in the qualification rounds in Italy, they returned the favor, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the semi-finals.

The three remaining undefeated teams in the Grand Prix - United States, Brazil, and China, are the favorites for the podium in Rio. They are currently 1, 2, and 3, respectively, in the FIVB World Rankings. 

Following the Grand Prix, the next big tournament will be the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup, which will be held in Japan starting on August 22nd. The top two teams will qualify for the Rio Olympics. Brazil is exempt from qualifying as the host nation.