Projo Sports Blog

By Erik Matuszewski
Bloomberg

Lloy Ball shared hugs with his teammates and coaches, then ran to the stands after the U.S. men's volleyball team earned a spot in the Olympic gold medal game with a semifinal win over Russia.

Just two weeks ago, Ball questioned whether his family should risk making the trip to China from Indiana following the stabbing death of U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon's father-in-law at a Beijing tourist site. Ultimately they came, to support a U.S. team that's now 7-0 and within a victory of its first Olympic championship in 20 years.

Ball had tears in his eyes as he reached up to grasp the hands of wife Sarah and 7-year-old son Dyer in celebration of the U.S. team's 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13 win, just its second in 13 matches against Russia.

"To see those faces, it's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life," Ball, whose son's name is tattooed on his right shoulder, said in an interview. "This win is emotional for so many reasons."

The U.S. overcame late three-point deficits to win each of the first two sets in front of a flag-waving, pro-Russian crowd at Beijing's Capital Gymnasium, which echoed throughout the match with chants of "Ro-ssi-ya."

After losing the next two sets, the U.S. recovered for its first win over the Russians since 1993. The Americans will play for the gold medal in two days against Brazil, which beat Italy 19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22.

"We just weathered their storm," Richard Lambourne, a defensive specialist for the U.S. team, said of Russia's comeback. "We knew they were going to make the run. We just had to keep telling each other, `We're good, just stay composed.' We've gelled as a team this tournament."

Winning Streak

The winning streak started a day after the Aug. 9 death of McCutcheon's father-in-law, Todd Bachman, the chief executive officer of a Minneapolis-based garden center and an ardent supporter of the U.S. volleyball programs.

McCutcheon, 38, took a week's leave after the attack, spending time with his wife, Elisabeth, and mother-in-law, Barbara, who was critically wound in the attack. He returned to the team on Aug. 16.

"You almost have to mentally prepare to come into the gym," McCutcheon, a New Zealander, said after today's win. "One of the reasons I'm here is that I know that so many more lives are invested in this than just my own in terms of what our team is trying to do here. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't ready to give them everything I've got."

Before facing Russia -- a rematch of the bronze-medal match from Athens the U.S. lost 3-0 -- McCutcheon shared with his players an e-mail of encouragement from Elisabeth, who's better known as "Wiz" in U.S. volleyball circles. She played for the U.S. women's team four years ago in Athens and remains close to many members of this year's squad, which also goes for the gold in Beijing tomorrow.

Lambourne is among the U.S. players who said the attack brought the men's team closer and that they've been able to channel their emotions in a positive way. The Americans won their last two matches in decisive fifth sets.

"We didn't want to quit," Lambourne said. "When I needed a little energy, I just thought of my family and all the other families we're playing for."

'Amazing'

Greatly outnumbered by Russia's fans, supporters of the U.S., including Ball's wife and son, waved small American flags and yelled until they were almost hoarse.

"I can't tell you how happy we are to be able to be here, to experience this," Sarah Ball said in an interview. "It's just been amazing and it's not done yet."

Their presence was even more meaningful for husband Ball, who at 36 is the oldest member of the U.S. team and is making his fourth, and last, Olympic appearance. He first played on the team in 1996, four years after the U.S. won its last medal, a bronze, at the Barcelona Games.

Now his team is seeking its first gold since a Karch Kiraly-led squad won two straight titles in 1984 and 1988.

"It's going to feel so good to play with actually not much pressure," Ball said. "We want the gold medal more than anything in the world, but we're also just so happy to be at this point because of all the hard work and hard times."

While McCutcheon said he's talked with his wife by phone as many as three times a day for the past week, his focus in the gym has been on the team and its quest for gold. After the final, win or lose, he'll have more pressing concerns.

"This is wonderful for our team and for the guys for the number of hours and years that they've invested in this process," McCutcheon, 38, said. "It's a fantastic achievement and I'll embrace it and enjoy it. But as soon as we're done, I have to get back to where I'm needed, which is with my family."

 Tags  Hugh McCutcheon men's volleyball Olympics

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