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Monday, September 25
U.S. men toast against Italian subs
Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia -- The U.S. men's volleyball team ended
the Olympics by bringing the fans to their feet -- and sending them
to the exits.
Playing an Italian team resting most of its starters to prepare
for a run at the gold medal, the Americans still couldn't end their
run of futility in Sydney, losing 21-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18
Monday.
"At the start of the tournament, we dug a huge hole that we
just couldn't get out of," Erik Sullivan said of the team's
opening-round loss to Argentina. "I think we'll go work hard and
reconvene next summer and see where we are -- start from scratch."
The United States (0-5) finished tied for 11th, its worst
showing ever at the Olympics and the only time it has failed to win
at least once.
"It's probably more disappointing because of the exposure that
the Olympics bring, and the opportunity it presents," coach Doug
Beal said. "Especially for a sport that doesn't get that much
exposure."
In a match that resembled an exhibition more than the Olympics,
Italy rested four of its regular starters, including stars Samuele
Papi and Andrea Gardini. After winning the first game and dropping
the second, the Americans brought in a few of their own subs during
the third, which they lost.
Many fans and their families then called it a night.
If this were baseball, it have been a split-squad game in spring
training.
The biggest thrill for the crowd came when Cathy Freeman won
gold in the 400 meters. Of course, it wasn't shown on the Sydney
Entertainment Center big screen because of an FIVB rule prohibiting
live images of other sports at the venue.
Spectators craned their necks to watch the race on the media
monitors and cheered the victory, just as the volleyball players
were set to come out.
They couldn't match that kind of moment, nor did they bother
trying.
Asked what the team had learned in the tournament, Sullivan
said: "It's tough to really say right now if we've learned
anything, except how to take a beating in the Olympics."
Beal said eight or nine of the players have expressed an
interest in returning to the team and going to Athens. Most will
play in Europe and come back.
"I'm optimistic we can turn this thing around," said Beal, who
hasn't decided whether he will return as coach. "We've got a lot
of good players. In a year, it could be a whole different team."
Italy, the favorite to win gold, had sealed first place in Group
B with a victory over Russia two days earlier. The Italians begin
the quarterfinals Wednesday against Australia.
The only regulars to play for Italy were Andrea Sartoretti and
Simone Rosalba, plus libero Mirko Corsano.
As for the Americans, they return home trying to rebuild the
program. After a ninth-place finish in Atlanta and this showing, it
won't be easy. The five veterans who played on the Atlanta team
surely will move on.
"It's tough to have a goal that you set, that you've been
dreaming about, and you want it to end up a certain way," said
hitter Mike Lambert. "But we played bad, and we have to be
responsible for that."
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