But this was a special occasion: The Americans, who lost to Italy Sunday and lost all five preliminary matches at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, won for the first time at the Olympics since 1996 in Atlanta.

Hawai'i's Clay Stanley was most responsible for the U.S. breakthrough. He scored 21 points on team highs of 15 kills, three blocks and three of the Americans' six aces.

"There is no game plan left when you get outserved," Netherlands coach Bert Goedkoop said.

When the Dutch led 23-19 in the first game, it was Stanley who powered a 7-1 U.S. rally. He had four points in the critical run, including a wicked jump-serve ace down the line and a pair of back-row, cross-court kills that blew through blockers and sent passers into desperate but fruitless dives.

Stanley was lethal, burying 54 percent of his spike attempts. The rest of the Americans kept the Dutch off-balance with pressure serves, a trio of blockers sliding to the outside, and a skilled three-man serve-receive formation that opened up the offense for Stanley.

"All the best teams have a solid offensive star," U.S. captain and setter Lloy Ball said, "and we're going to ride him (Stanley) when he's the one hitting, blocking and serving well."

"It was by far our best team effort since I've been on the national team," said middle blocker Ryan Millar, who scored six points. "Clay played great; Tom (Hoff) played great; Lloy set a great match. Our outside hitters were fantastic."

Dominican Republic topples U.S. women

Placed in a difficult pool, the United States appeared to have one easy foe on the preliminary schedule. Try telling that to the Dominican Republic

Milagros Cabral de la Cruz had the match-winning kill in the fifth set today as the Dominicans upset the Americans, 26-24, 22-25, 27-25, 23-25, 19-17.