Looking Good

Halfway through World League pool play, the U.S. men are sitting pretty atop Pool A with a 5-1 record. Currently they are third in points behind Brazil (undefeated) and Cuba (5-1.)

After a shaky opening match loss to the Netherlands, the young U.S. squad settled down and rattled off five wins. They'll see each of the other three teams twice more before the end of pool play and there is no reason why they can't end up with an 11-1 record.

Olympic MVP Clay Stanley rejoined the team in San Jose and played sparingly, but managed to rattle off three service aces in a row at one point against China's libero. He will likely be a difference-maker as the tournament progresses and as the U.S. team fights to defend their 2008 title.