USA Volleyball Faces Must-Win Match After Loss to Russia

ATHENS, Greece (Aug. 20, 2004) ? Following another disappointing five-set loss on Friday night, the USA women’s Olympic volleyball team finds itself facing the ultimate challenge come Sunday: it must defeat three-time defending Olympic gold medalist Cuba to advance out of pool play.

Ekaterina Gamova scored a match-high 28 points and Lioubov Shashkova added 23 points as Russia rebounded from a 2-1 deficit after three sets to post a 3-2 victory over the United States at Peace and Friendship Stadium.

“It was another disappointing five-set match,” said Team USA head coach Toshi Yoshida. “We now have to refocus our minds and prepare for the Cuba match on Sunday. That’s all we can do right now. We still have a chance. It might be difficult, but we have to do our best.”

Gamova had 22 kills, four blocks and two service aces in the 20-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11 win that improved Russia’s record in Pool B to 3-1. It will play for first place in the pool on Sunday against China (3-1).

Tayyiba Haneef (Laguna Hills, Calif.) scored 25 points and Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, Utah) added 24 points for Team USA, which dropped to 1-3 in Pool B. It will do whatever it can beat Cuba (3-1), salvage fourth place in the pool and keep its medal dreams alive.

Haneef had 21 kills, two aces and two blocks while Tom had 19 kills and a match-high five blocks, but it wasn’t enough for the Americans to avoid losing its second-straight emotional five-set thriller.

On Wednesday morning, the team was out of rhythm in a shocking 3-2 loss to the Dominican Republic. On Friday night, despite a strong start, the United States faltered in the end.

“Tonight was an even more difficult loss considering we really needed that win,” said middle blocker Danielle Scott (Baton Rouge, La.), who scored eight points on six kills and two blocks. “But we still have a chance, and as long as there is still a chance we have to try and go with it. On Sunday we have to refocus and play hard and try to do our best.”

After winning the third set to go up, 2-1, Team USA saw Russia grab all the momentum as they raced into the first technical timeout of the fourth set with an 8-3 lead. The Americans could get no closer than three points the rest of the way as Russia forced a fifth and final set.

With the score tied at 5-all in the final set, Russia took control of the match by launching a 5-1 run on kills by Gamova and Shashkova, a block and two hitting errors by Haneef.

Team USA was able to pull within one point of Russia twice (10-9 and 11-10), but could get no closer as the 2000 Olympic silver medalist ended the match with a 4-1 run.

Up next for the United States is Sunday’s 9:30 p.m. showdown with long-time rival Cuba. The match is scheduled to be televised live in the United States on NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

The two teams have met five times so far this year. Cuba won the first four matches before Team USA posted a 3-0 win in the bronze medal match at the World Grand Prix on Aug. 1.

“Cuba is Cuba,” said Tom. “They’re big bangers; they’re a great team. We’ve played them a lot and we have to come out prepared to fight because they’re going to come out and fight.”