ISLE FILE
Stanley helps U.S. volleyball top Spain
Advertiser Staff
Honolulu's Clay Stanley had 13 points as the U.S. Men's National Team held off Spain to win its eighth 2008 FIVB World League pool play match, 25-19, 25-23, 27-25, yesterday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Ill.
Reid Priddy of the United States led all scorers with 15 points on 10 kills, three blocks and two aces. Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawai'i alum, added nine kills, three blocks and one ace.
The victory improves the United States' World League record to 8-1 and increases its lead in Pool C. Spain falls to 3-6 in third place. The two teams will play again today at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
U.S. WOMEN ABSORB 3-2 LOSS TO CUBA
Cuba beat the U.S. Women's National Indoor Volleyball Team 22-25, 17-25, 25-18, 25-21, 15-11 yesterday on day three of the round robin FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.
Former University of Hawai'i All-American Heather Bown had five kills on eight attacks, one block and one ace in the loss. Teammate Lindsey Berg, a Punahou alum, produced 11 assists as the U.S. connected for kills on 44.5 percent of its attacks.
Cuba improved to 3-0, while USA falls to 1-2.
Team USA challenges Italy today before concluding the Finals tomorrow against Olympic Games host China.
SURFING
KAUA'I'S ANDY IRONS BEATS MAUI'S LARSEN
Kaua'i's Andy Irons defeated Maui's Granger Larsen in the second round of the Billabong Pro J-Bay men's surfing contest yesterday.
The second round of the contest was run in 3- to 5-foot waves at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
Irons, who is currently ranked No. 8 in the world, defeated Larsen, 15.17-11.83. Irons said the cold water off South Africa has made it difficult to stay focused.
"You have to pick the right (waves) and that has been tough for me lately," he said. "I've been battling the cold (water) badly."
Larsen was making his debut appearance as a professional surfer. He turned pro last month, and was invited to the event as a sponsor's wildcard.
Pancho Sullivan of O'ahu's North Shore was eliminated in the second round because he failed to show for his heat. He reportedly experienced passport issues and could not make the trip to South Africa.
Andy Irons will join fellow Hawai'i surfers Bruce Irons, Fred Patacchia Jr. and Roy Powers in the third round.
FIVE HAWAI'I WOMEN ADVANCE IN LONGBOARD
Hawai'i surfers Crystal Dzigas, Joy Monahan, Kelia Moniz, Carissa Moore and Miku Uemura advanced through the first round of the ASP Roxy Women's World Longboard Championship yesterday.
The first round was completed in 1- to 3-foot waves at Biarritz, France.
Dzigas is ranked No. 5 in the world, and is the top seed among the Hawai'i contingent.
"I was very nervous in the water and fortunately I did not hear the results during the heat," she said. "Physically I feel very good but psychologically I am a bit under stress because my goal is to do better than last year. I finished fifth, so it is going to be hard."
Moore, a junior-to-be at Punahou School, is in the world longboard championship for the first time. She is Hawai'i's most successful amateur competitor in shortboard surfing.
"This is my first contest here and I am still nervous," Moore said. "I know everything can change, I am not used to this spot and it is hard to surf with the tides but I am riding my favorite longboard and stoked I won the first heat."
