Posted on: Sunday, August 15, 2004

U.S. volleyball spiked in opener

Team USA setter Robyn Ah Mow-Santos sported a picture of her son, Jordan, on her towel. China beat the Americans in four games. Associated Press

Advertiser Staff and News Services

The Peace and Friendship Stadium was anything but peaceful when the top-ranked U.S. women's volleyball team opened Olympic play against third-ranked China in Athens, Greece.

The Chinese stamped themselves as strong gold-medal contenders yesterday by defeating Team USA, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18.

The Americans have four more matches in Pool B and are eager to improve. The top four teams in each pool advance to the medal round.

The team has a strong Hawaiian influence, with three players on the roster tied to the Islands. Middle blocker Heather Bown is a California native who was a two-time All-American at the University of Hawai'i, and setters Robyn Ah Mow-Santos and Lindsey Berg were born and raised in Honolulu.

Ah Mow-Santos, a former McKinley High and UH standout, had a picture of her 18-month-old son Jordan on the towel she wore yesterday. She originally wanted to bring her son to Athens with her, but decided against it. Jordan is staying with her parents in Hawai'i.

Ah-Mow Santos said losing to China was a disappointment, but the world has yet to see what the U.S. team can do on the court.

"We haven't played our hardest yet. We're going to put up more of a fight," she said. "This one rattles us a little bit, but we still have a chance. We've just got to move on to the next one."

Team USA plays Germany tomorrow. The Germans upset three-time defending gold medalist Cuba in five games yesterday.

This is the second Olympics for Ah Mow-Santos, 28, and Bown, 25, who played for the fourth-place American team in Sydney. Berg, 24, is an Olympics rookie and said the Olympic experience is a dream come true.

"Last night at the opening ceremonies was amazing," said Berg, a former Punahou School and Minnesota star. "When we were in the tunnel (at the Olympic Stadium) and were about to come out, I started tearing. I had no control over it. It was just so amazing to see all of the athletes from all over the world in one place.

"I know I am so blessed and lucky to be here."

Bown finished with a team-high four blocks and Ah Mow-Santos had 17 assists. It wasn't enough against a team that got a match-high 20 points from Hao Yang and 17 more from Ping Zhang. She replaced 6-foot-5 Ruirui Zhao, who injured her leg on the second play.

China had been the world's No. 1 team until the United States took it over last month, based on its performance in the World Grand Prix. Looking at the long faces of the U.S. players, it was clear there was little solace to be found in the quality of the opposition.

"We are disappointed," libero Stacy Sykora said. "They were No. 1, so obviously they had been the best team in the world, but we made a lot of errors. USA volleyball beat USA volleyball. The Olympics is where you show everything you've got, so whether you are playing No. 1 or No. 20, your opponent can be tough."

Said U.S. coach Toshi Yoshida: "I know my players are very disappointed, but they have to be positive."

Outside hitter Logan Tom led the U.S. with 14 points, on 10 kills, two blocks and two aces.

The American squad came to Athens with realistic dreams of winning Olympic gold for the first time, based on its high ranking and recent success against China. After having lost seven straight to China the last two years, the United States had beaten the Chinese in two of three meetings this year.

The men's competition begins today with Team USA, and Hawai'i's Clay Stanley, taking on Italy.