U.S. men’s volleyball team reaches semis

BEIJING – The U.S. men’s volleyball team tends to be an emotional lot, even without personal tragedy or Olympic competition to spur it. Add those two things to the mix, though, and the result is overwhelming.

The United States defeated Serbia in a tense, draining and ultimately exhilarating five sets Wednesday night and moved into the Olympic semifinals. Next on the agenda: Friday’s match against Russia, with the winner advancing to the gold medal game. The Americans have been countering the horror of the Aug. 9 attack on Todd and Barbara Bachman with an intensity and strength of purpose that sustained them through a tough quarterfinal test at Capital Gymnasium.

The United States won 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12 in a 2-hour match that ended at 12:15 a.m. With a horde of Serbian fans booing, the Americans maintained their composure through a series of wild momentum swings on the same day Barbara Bachman’s condition was upgraded to good.

The United States team is coached by Hugh McCutcheon, who is married to the Bachmans’ daughter Elisabeth. Todd Bachman was stabbed to death in the attack on the first day of Olympic competition. Hugh McCutcheon stayed at the hospital around the clock as Barbara had surgery for abdominal wounds and resumed coaching when she returned to Minnesota on Saturday.

Bryant, Redeem Team in semifinals

Kobe Bryant could have given the diplomatic response, but why not just be honest?

His 25 points had just led the United States to a 116-85 victory over Australia and into the Olympic basketball semifinals. He was asked which of the possible opponents he preferred to face, Greece or reigning Olympic champion Argentina.

“We want to play the best,” he said. “We want to play the defending champs. It’s all about challenges. “Obviously, we welcome all comers and we know what a great team Greece is, but Argentina, they’re the defending champs.”

Bryant got his wish, barely. In the last quarterfinal game, Argentina held off Greece 80-78.

Friday, Argentina and the U.S. will meet in a rematch of their 2004 semifinal, which Argentina won 89-81. Spain and Lithuania play in the other semifinal.