US men pay tribute with performance

Ryan Millar (right) and David Lee celebrate a United States point during their emotional match yesterday against Italy. (Alexander Demianchuk/Reuters)

BEIJING - The United States 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.

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 US team, playing with energy and determination after the tragedy that shook it, defeated Italy, 3-1, yesterday. The US adjusted after a sluggish start to prevail, 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.

McCutcheon spoke to the AP late Monday. He has been comforting his wife, who played for the US team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

"She has shown incredible strength. The last couple of days we've been able to talk through it," McCutcheon said. "Obviously it's a lot of tears and a lot of hugs."

Barbara Bachman is in serious but stable condition at a Beijing hospital.

Ron Larsen took over as interim coach of the US men in McCutcheon's absence. It is not known whether McCutcheon will resume his duties as coach.

After an emotional but solemn victory in their first match of pool play, the US 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 US 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 US had the stronger service and finesse shots, Italy's height produced a defensive advantage. The Americans adjusted after getting by 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. (AP)