The Americans play Spain today in the Olympic quarterfinals, and a loss would mean elimination from medal contention.

The United States was second in Pool B, trailing only undefeated Italy, the defending champion and the only team to beat the Americans in the preliminary round. Spain finished 3-2 in Pool A, losing to undefeated Hungary and Yugoslavia.

For Duplanty, who had a sensational 20-save performance in a win against Croatia on Wednesday night, the pressure will be especially intense tonight against the very fast Spaniards.

He has led the Americans to four straight wins (Greece, Romania, Ukraine, Croatia) after an opening 10-7 loss to Italy.

Munching on rock salt plum and mochi that his mother bought in Moiliili, and drinking cup after cup of Kona coffee before matches, the three-time Olympic veteran has managed to maintain his trademark sense of humor.

Asked if he's sharing his Hawaiian goodies with teammates, Duplanty said, "I'll share the Kona coffee, but they're not getting the mochi or rock salt plum."

Sunada advanced to the repechage round but failed to go further. He was eliminated by Belaurus's Natik Bagirov.

Former Punahou star Mike Lambert shined through defeat last night as the U.S. men's indoor volleyball team suffered its first loss against two wins. Lambert had 23 kills to raise his three-match total to 69.

U.S. captain Bob Ctvrtlik said everyone should share the blame.

"We had an opportunity to win," Ctvrtlik said. "Bryan (Ivie) has two good swings at the end, Mike Lambert had a great swing for a point, and I had a swing for a point. You can't ask for anything more than that, so it's our fault."

It was a rematch of the 1992 bronze-medal contest, which was won by the United States.

Two more games remain in pool play, after which the top four teams in each six-team group advance to the quarterfinals. The highest-finishers get to face lower-seeded teams in Pool B.

Former University of Hawaii star Teee Williams and the U.S. women's indoor volleyball team (2-1) will take on Japan today.

Meanwhile, Hawaii's K-1 kayaker, Traci Phillips, a three-time Olympian, said her trial heat on Wednesday will be a tough one.

Phillips, who will observe her 32nd birthday next week, said she'll have to race with two former world champions and the 1992 bronze medalist.

Two other Olympic veteran Hawaii kayakers awaiting their turn on Lake Lanier, Mike Harbold and Peter Newton, are expected to compete on Tuesday.