AUGUST 18, 2004
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IPFW Alum Competes in Third Olympic Games

By Dave Campbell
Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece – The United States couldn’t afford another loss in its ultracompetitive men’s volleyball pool, and Clay Stanley made sure it didn’t happen.

Stanley scored 21 points and fellow Olympic rookie Reid Priddy added nine kills Tuesday to lead the Americans to a crucial sweep of the Netherlands, 26-24, 25-20, 25-18.

With Russia and Brazil left on their preliminary schedule, this was an important win.

“I think we have probably one of the hardest pools ever put together in Olympic history,” said American captain Lloy Ball, a Woodburn native and former All-American at IPFW.

The United States ended a nine-match Olympic losing streak in the process, a skid that dated back to the Atlanta Games in 1996.

“We finally got one,” outside hitter Kevin Barnett yelled as he left the floor.

Reinder Nummerdor led the Dutch with 11 points, including eight kills.

After a four-set loss to Italy in their first game, the Americans put on an impressive show – on defense and especially at the service line: Stanley had three of their six aces.

“There is no game plan left when you get outserved,” Netherlands coach Bert Goedkoop said.

Doug Beal, who guided the U.S. team to its first gold medal in 1984 and returned to coach again in 2000, earned his first Olympic win since Los Angeles.

After going 0-5 in Sydney, the winless streak was something most of the men were thinking about.

“It’s hard not to,” Beal said. “But I don’t recall talking about it ever. ... This is the 2004 team. I told them, ‘It’s whatever you guys make of it.’ ”

The Netherlands arrived in Athens ranked 13th in the world, and three players – outside hitter Guido Gortzen, opposite Richard Schuil and middle blocker Mike van de Goor – were on the 1996 gold medal team.

The Dutch showed Sunday they’re not to be taken lightly, pulling out a five-set win over Russia.

Goedkoop called it a “dream start” for his team, and that momentum continued into the first set against the Americans.

The Netherlands stayed between two and four points ahead for most of the set and took a 23-19 lead before Stanley took over.

The Americans won seven of the last eight points, and the former Hawaii star and first-time Olympian had three kills and an ace during that spurt.

Middle blocker Ryan Millar, who played sparingly against Italy because he’s recovering from a sprained ankle, was back in the U.S. starting lineup and provided a spark late in the second set.

The U.S. scored five straight points, two on kills by Millar and the last on his block that extended the lead to 22-16. He clenched both fists in celebration and danced around before joining the team huddle.

Stanley ended the set with a vicious spike shortly after that.

The Dutch and their large contingent of orange-clad fans were deflated by then, and the Americans weren’t really threatened in the final set.

The U.S. team needs Stanley – who had 21 points against the Italians – and Priddy to succeed on offense to have hopes of advancing in this tournament.

The pair certainly did their share, especially in the first set. Stanley had seven kills and Priddy added five.

“They’re very important players for us,” Beal said.

Click here for complete Olympic Volleyball statistics.

~Dons~