The U.S. men's national volleyball team, playing without four starters, was beaten by Bulgaria, 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 35-33, yesterday in a FIVB World League match at Varna, Bulgaria.

Hawai'i's Clay Stanley, a Kaiser High alum, was among the starters who remained in the U.S. for the two matches.

After losses on Friday and yesterday, the U.S. finished World League intercontinental pool play with a 9-3 record, but won Pool C. Bulgaria finished second at 8-4. The U.S. will travel from Bulgaria to Rio de Janeiro for the World League final round, July 23 to 27.

Sean Rooney led the U.S. with 21 points on 19 kills and two blocks. Former University of Hawai'i star Delano Thomas scored nine points on nine kills.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

SILVA WINS BY KO AFTER MOVING UP IN WEIGHT

Reigning UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up to the light heavyweight division and knocked out James Irvin in the first round of a mixed martial arts bout last night in Las Vegas.

Silva, regarded by many as the top pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts, moved up in weight as a favor to UFC president Dana White.

Irvin, coming off a record-tying, 8-second knockout in his previous bout, tested his potential against the heavier Silva and didn't last long.

Silva held on to Irvin's left leg and landed a right hand that sent him to the mat. Silva then pounced on Irvin, connecting with several shots before the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.

"It was a good experience," Silva said, "but my responsibility is to defend the 185-pound title."

On the undercard, Brandon Vera moved down to the light heavyweight division and pulled out a unanimous decision over newcomer Reese Andy.

BASKETBALL

FEVER WINS WNBA'S FIRST OUTDOOR GAME

Katie Douglas and the visiting Indiana Fever stole the spotlight — under the moonlight — from the New York Liberty in the WNBA's first outdoor game.

On a basketball court laid on top of the tennis court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, Douglas scored nine of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, Tamika Catchings had 15 points and nine rebounds, and the Fever beat the Liberty, 71-55, last night.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

DALHAUSSER, ROGERS WIN EIGHTH AVP TITLE OF YEAR

The Beijing-bound team of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers earned its eighth AVP Crocs Tour title of the year, winning the AVP Crocs Slam Brooklyn at Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The top seeds beat second-seeded Nick Lucena and Sean Scott, 21-16, 21-12, for their 31st win since joining forces in 2006.

"When you know each other very well, it lends itself for a better match," Rogers said. "I tend to read Sean pretty well ... when you play with someone for so long, there's familiarity."

SOCCER

DYNAMO OUSTS D.C. UNITED FROM SUPERLIGA

Bobby Boswell and Ricardo Clark scored off assists from Brad Davis to lift the Houston Dynamo to a 3-1 victory that eliminated D.C. United from SuperLiga play last night in Washington.

Houston, Atlante and CD Guadalajara, known as Chivas, are all tied with six points in Group A. Houston won the group on goal differential, and Atlante advanced because of its head-to-head win over Chivas.

Stuart Holden capped the scoring for Houston with a blast from 15 yards off an assist by Kamehameha alum Brian Ching in the 84th minute.