Updated at 10:43 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2007
World Games: U.S. volleyball in semis; Aussies in final
Advertiser Staff
The United States men's volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the World University Games with a 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 27-29, 15-8 quarterfinal win over Ukraine today in Bangkok, Thailand.Alfred Reft, who played at the University of Hawai'i, started all five games at libero for the Americans. The U.S. will face Turkey in tomorrow's semifinal. Canada plays Italy in the other semifinal.
In women's basketball, Australia advanced to the gold-medal game with a 62-50 win over the Czech Republic. Tanya Smith, a UH senior, didn't score for the Australians.
Australia faces Russia in Friday's final. The Russians defeated Poland 72-46.
The U.S. women's team, represented by UNC Charlotte, advanced to Friday's fifth-place game with a 81-62 win over Turkey. The U.S. will face Chinese Taipei, a team the Americans edged 66-65 yesterday.
The U.S. men's team faces Finland tomorrow in a consolation match. The best the Americans, represented by the University of Northern Iowa, can finish is ninth.
In softball, Canada defeated the U.S., 9-2, in a playoff-round game. Kalaheo High School graduate Jessika Ngirblekuu, who played at Palm Beach Community College (Fla.), started as the designated hitter for the U.S. The Americans face Japan tomorrow.
