Stanley helps U.S. beat Italy

BEIJING » The U.S. men's volleyball team wanted somehow to pay tribute to Todd Bachman, the American who was fatally stabbed while visiting Beijing for the Olympics, and his wife Barbara, who was wounded.

HOW HAWAII’S PLAYER FARED Yesterday against Italy: Clay Stanley: 19 kills, 3 blocks, 2 digs, 1 ace

So on one shoe, they all wrote TB. On the other, they wrote BB.

It was admittedly a small gesture, but it was heartfelt.

"The Olympics are normally very big. But something like this makes it seem smaller," middle blocker Ryan Millar said. "It's just sport."

All of the shoes were so marked when the U.S. team, playing with energy and determination after the tragedy that shook them, defeated Italy 3-1 yesterday. The U.S. team adjusted after a sluggish start to finish 24-26, 25-22, 25-15, 25-21 without coach Hugh McCutcheon.

McCutcheon is the husband of the Bachmans' daughter, Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman McCutcheon.

Todd Bachman was attacked Saturday while visiting the 13th century Drum Tower with his wife and daughter, who was not hurt. The assailant jumped to his death from the tower, a popular tourist site.

"I think the guys are playing hard. They're doing it for Hugh, and they're doing it for Wiz," Millar said.

Kaiser High and UH alum Clay Stanley had 23 points for the Americans, who are ranked third in the world. Italy, ranked 10th, was led by Hristo Zlatanov with 19 points.

After an emotional but solemn victory in their first match of pool play, the U.S. men were much more animated - and appeared more driven - against the Italians. Fans at the Capital Indoor Stadium chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" at the start.

The U.S. trailed early in the first set, but then came back to tie it at 18 on Riley Salmon's ace. Italy, however, prevailed on Paparoni Alessandro's ace.

While the U.S. team had the stronger service and finesse shots, Italy used height up front to a defensive advantage. The Americans adjusted after getting by 25-22 in the second set to dominate the rest of the way.

"What comment can I make? We received badly and spiked badly," Italian coach Andrea Anastasi said.

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CYCLING

U.S. woman wins gold

Kristin Armstrong of the United States won the gold medal in the women's time trial, making her just the second American women's cyclist ever to become an Olympic champion.

Armstrong finished the 14.6-mile course in 34 minutes, 51.72 seconds todday - 24.29 seconds better than Emma Pooley of Great Britain. Switzerland's Karin Thuerig was third, almost a minute behind the time set by Armstrong.

Armstrong was the only woman close to Pooley at the halfway mark, and erased the gap before reaching the finish at the Great Wall.

SOFTBALL

No-hitter for Osterman

Cat Osterman pitched a no-hitter, Crystl Bustos hit a two-run homer and the U.S. softball team extended its Olympic winning streak to 16 games with a 3-0 win over Australia today.

The Americans are seeking a fourth straight gold medal.

Osterman was locked in a pitcher's duel for four innings with Tanya Harding, who had handed the U.S. team two of its four losses in the games since 1996. Osterman struck out 13 as the Americans posted their 14th shutout during the streak.

Natasha Watley's RBI single off Harding snapped a 0-0 tie in the fifth, and Bustos connected for her 10th career Olympic homer in the sixth.

DIVING

China perfect on platform

Teenagers Chen Ruolin and Wang Xin won the women's 10-meter synchronized platform title, making the hosts 3-for-3 in diving thus far with five events left.

Individual platform is theirs to lose. The 15-year-old Chen and Wang, who turned 16 on Monday, are ranked 1-2.

Americans Mary Beth Dunnichay and Haley Ishimatsu, a pair of 15-year-olds, were fifth among eight teams.

Chen and Wang, who also won the World Cup in February, never faltered, making top-ranked dives during every round. While the other divers smiled between rounds and even danced to the goofy music playing over the loudspeakers, the Chinese pair barely cracked a smile.

ELSEWHERE

Water polo team survives

Jeffrey Powers had three goals, Tony Azevedo added two and the Americans barely escaped with a 12-11 victory against Italy in preliminary play yesterday.

Punahou's Brandon Brooks did not play.

» An activist group says up to eight pro-Tibet protesters have been detained by police near an Olympics venue.

Rights group Students for a Free Tibet said today that two of their members hung a banner that said "Free Tibet" in the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park near the National Stadium.