Ex-Cougs help USA past Bulgaria

The coach still isn't back, and may not return, but the bereaved Americans are pressing on quite well without him in the men's volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics.

Former Brigham Young stars Ryan Millar and Rich Lambourne helped the U.S. come back to beat Bulgaria 27-29, 25-21, 25-14 and 26-24 in preliminary round play at Capital Gymnasium on Thursday, keeping the Americans unbeaten in their group and all but assuring they will reach the quarterfinals - despite continuing to play without coach Hugh McCutcheon.

The former Cougar player and coach has remained with his family after the stabbing attack on his wife's parents that killed his father-in-law last weekend. It's not known whether he will return to the team.

Clayton Stanley scored 21 points to lead the Americans, who are 3-0 in group play with matches remaining against China and Japan, while Millar contributed 17 points and Lambourne starred as libero.

Bountiful's Gibb rallies for win

The match was essentially meaningless, but Bountiful's Jake Gibb made it mean something, anyway.

Gibb and partner Sean Rosenthal dramatically fought off match point and beat Japan's Kentaro Asahi and Katsuhiro Shiratori 21-15, 19-21, 18-16 in the rain at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground to finish perfectly in three preliminary matches - even though they were already assured of reaching the single-elimination round of 16.

"I'm very excited," Gibb said. "The next match will be the match of our lives, so we're looking forward to that. Each match has been more important than the other. We'll keep our excitement, celebrating every point - that's how we play best."

Seeded ninth in the world according to qualifying rankings, the Americans will play Spain's Pablo Herrera and Raul Mesa in the elimination round Saturday. and Xu Luiyin of China in their final preliminary match.

"We needed to be pressed," Rosenthal said. "We've been in tight games before, but not in the Olympics, and not on this big stage."

Federer among rash of upsets

Roger Federer's long slump continued and the bid for his first Olympic singles medal ended Thursday when he lost to American James Blake.

So began an upset parade in the quarterfinals. Serena Williams lost to Elena Dementieva of Russia, and as the clock approached midnight, Venus Williams was beaten by Li Na of China.

A few contrarians went against the upset trend. No. 2 Rafael Nadal beat the rain and Jurgen Melzer. Nadal's semifinal opponent will be No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who rallied to defeat Gael Monfils.

Top-seeded Mike and Bob Bryan of the United States won their match in doubles against Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione of Australia.

DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS

easily made it through the first round of the Olympic 100-meter dash Friday (Thursday night MDT).

Racing for the first time since crumpling to the track with a hamstring injury six weeks ago, America's fastest sprinter enjoyed an uneventful debut at the Beijing Games, coasting to the finish to win his preliminary heat in 10.22 seconds.

World record-holder Usain Bolt and fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell also advanced comfortably, winning their heats. The quarterfinals were set for later Friday.

''It feels good,'' Gay said, referring to his left hamstring. ''I felt a little sluggish the first round, but my body is woke up now.''

All three are expected to make Saturday's final - perhaps the most highly anticipated event of the 10-day track and field meet that opened at the Bird's Nest with Bolt running in the first heat. That trio has run the eight fastest times ever.

Entering the day there was concern about Gay's status, though he has been assuring everyone in Beijing he's fine.

See www.sltrib.com for live updates and extended coverage during the 2008 Olympics.