World No. 1 Italy beat defending champion the United States in straight sets here on Sunday to claim their first Olympic gold medal in the women's volleyball.

Paola Egonu had a game-high 22 points through 18 kills and four stuffs and Myriam Sylla added 10 as the Italians outgunned the Americans 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17 in the final for their sixth straight victory at the Paris Olympic Games.

Jordan Thompson led the American side with eight points.

Italy did well in blocking and serving, from which they reaped 11 and seven points respectively.

Having clinched the title of the World Championship and the World Cups (2002 and 2011), the Italian women finally touched the Olympic gold medal under legendary head coach Julio Velasco, who had guided the Italian men's national team to win a silver medal at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and consecutive gold medals at the World Championship in 1990 and 1994