But last night against Croatia, a genuine medal contender, Duplanty was tested to his limits as 28 shots came his way.

The 30-year-old former Punahou star rose to the occasion and stopped 20 of them - several at critical junctures - to play the key role in a 10-8 U.S. victory.

The win raised the team's record to 4-1 and gave them second place in their preliminary pool behind unbeaten Italy (5-0).

It was a game that the U.S. did not have to win because the Americans had already assured themselves of a berth in the next round.

But it was one which Duplanty said was important nonetheless.

"What I'd like us to do is put together a game that we can be proud of - a game that proves what we're capable of," Duplanty said before the Croatia game. A 10-7 opening loss to Italy still haunts him.

The U.S. will meet Spain, the 1992 silver medalist, in tomorrow's quarterfinals. Spain defeated Russia, 8-6, last night to finish pool play.

"I'm only as good as the guys in front of me," said a modest Duplanty, the team captain and three-time Olympian.His save against a Croatian power play with one minute and 44 seconds left was crucial.

"I thought the guys played well," said Duplanty. "You don't save anything at the Olympics.

"I think it seems as though each night we have somebody different scoring goals," he added. "We're getting better every day. That's something that gives me a lot of confidence."

Duplanty said that due to the lateness of the games (10 p.m. starting times), he doesn't get to sleep until 2 a.m. "You just can't wind down," he said.

Duplanty said that his mother brought Kona coffee to him from Hawaii and he drinks about five cups before a game. "I've always been a big coffee drinker," he said.

But coffee is not all Duplanty has with him from Hawaii.

"My mom went to a Shinto shrine and brought me some good luck charms," he said.

"Someone told her to go to see this priest at the shrine - that he's a powerful man. He gave her two pieces of paper with the characters for strength and winning, specifically for Atlanta. I'll take everything I can get."

Williams, who started at outside, had 12 kills and a block. An Olympic spokesman said last night that Williams has been bothered by lower back strain.

The U.S. will play Japan tomorrow night.

The men's indoor volleyball team (2-0), led by Hawaii's Mike Lambert, faces unbeaten Cuba today. Lambert has 46 kills in two matches.

Hawaii's extra lightweight judo Olympian, Clifton Sunada, will be in action tomorrow morning, fighting Richard Trautmann of Germany in an opening matchup.

The 25-year-old Sunada is trying to become only the second Hawaii resident to win a judo medal. Kevin Asano won a silver for the U.S. in 1988.