The U.S. women's national volleyball team, ranked fourth in the world, got 23 kills from Tayyiba Haneef-Park to beat sixth-ranked China, 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 17-15, today on the final day of the FIVB World Grand Prix Final Round at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.

Team USA concluded the five matches in five days round-robin Final Round with a 2-3 record. Depending on the outcome of the Cuba-Italy and Japan-Brazil matches later today, the U.S. could finish either with the bronze medal or as low as fifth place.

"We are very excited to come out of our last game of this tournament with a win and playing with a lot of heart and fight because that is what we will need in the Olympics," said starting setter and Punahou alum Lindsey Berg, who had 15 assists.

Setter Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, a McKinley High alum, subbed into the match in all but the fourth set, while former UH Rainbow Wahine Heather Bown subbed in the fourth set.

Yesterday, Team USA dropped a 25-17, 26-28, 25-19, 25-19 match to second-ranked Italy.

U.S. MEN WILL ADVANCE

With help from Finland, the U.S. men's national volleyball team ensured it will win its pool and advance to the FIVB World League final round with a 24-26, 25-22, 25-13, 25-18 victory over Spain yesterday at Bloomington, Ill.

The victory improved the United States' record in Pool C to 9-1. Finland defeated second-place Bulgaria (30-28, 18-25, 25-23, 27-29, 17-15) yesterday to drop Bulgaria's record to 5-4. Even if the U.S. were to lose both pool play matches in Bulgaria next weekend, it will advance to the World League final round on July 23 to 27 in Rio de Janeiro.

Reid Priddy had 21 points on a match-high 15 kills, five blocks and one ace to lead Team USA. Kaiser High alum Clay Stanley added 16 points on 11 kills, three aces and two blocks.

ARENA FOOTBALL

SOUL, SABERCATS IN FINAL

Matt D'Orazio, who won the Arena League's Most Valuable Player award, threw eight touchdown passes to lead the Philadelphia Soul to its first appearance in the Arena Bowl with a 70-35 win over the Cleveland Gladiators yesterday in Philadelphia.

The Soul will play San Jose in Arena Bowl XXII in New Orleans on July 27.

At San Jose, Calif., yesterday, Mark Grieb threw eight touchdown passes, five of them to Cleannord Saintil, leading the defending champion San Jose Sabercats to an 81-55 win over the Grand Rapids Rampage.

OLYMPICS

BANNED SPRINTER WAITS

Dwain Chambers won the 100 meters at Britain's Olympic track and field trials yesterday in Birmingham, England, and now must wait to see if a judge overturns his Olympic ban.

Chambers, who is returning from a two-year drug ban, finished in 10.00 seconds.

That should also ensure a berth in the 4x100 relay if his legal team can convince a judge at London's High Court on Wednesday to grant an injunction against the British Olympic Association's lifetime ban on drug cheats.

Britain has to set its squad by July 20 for the Aug. 8 to 24 Olympics.

SOCCER

CHING MISSES ROUT

Stuart Holden scored twice, and host Houston used a three-goal first half to beat Atlante, 4-0, in the first game of Pool A play in Superliga for both teams last night.

Houston played without leading scorer Brian Ching, a Kamehameha Schools alum, who missed the game because of an abdominal injury.