More of this Feature • Part 2: NCAA & Rules • Part 3: Beach Volleyball • Part 4: Allison Ahlfeldt

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American Men Win Beach Gold! - It was a story tale win for the underdog American Team of Dain Blanton and Eric Fonoimoana.  The long shot team had to battle hostile crowds on the court and cynical fans at home every step of the way.  After all, this was a team that was going to the Olympics only because fan favorite Karch Kiraly and his partner Adam Johnson dropped out of the last qualifying tournament stop due to a shoulder injury suffered by Karch.  Regardless, it was apparent to this writer that as they continued on, winning match after match they would soon find themselves in the 2000 Olympic Men's Beach Volleyball Gold Medal match.  Fighting, what seemed to me, one-sided officiating, they played possibly one of their best matches of their lives.  With their win and subsequent home coming,  Men's Beach Volleyball, in its second showing at the Olympics, remains an American-only sport! 
 

USA Indoor Men's Volleyball Fisses Out! - After starting the year with a great showing at the 1999 World Cup Volleyball tournament, there was high hopes for this new USA team.  At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, USA, as the host team, automatically qualify for the Olympic tournament.  With their disappointing 9th Place finish in the '96 Olympics, American fans wanted a team that would not only qualify but finish well at the Olympics.  After the team finally qualified for the Sydney Olympics and their wonderful showing at the Y2K World League, hopes turned from the team not only qualifying and playing well but that there was a chance of them making the medal matches.  However, as the tournament went on, it was apparent that this was not the same team.  Even before the regular pool play was over, it was obvious, this US team was done.  End result - 12th Place - DEAD LAST.
 
 

USA Indoor Women Finish Fourth - The international community wondered if the USA Women should even be at the Olympics.  Having a less than winning schedule for the qualifying year, they waited until the last qualifying tournament before they won a spot in the 2000 Olympic tournament.  Showing up, they were the underdogs, ranked 8th.  In fine, underdog fashion, they opened up and won their first three matches, going to the final round with only one loss.  Playing well, they fought hard and had to settle for fourth.
 
 

USA Women's Beach "Sure-fuls" Out Early - Annette Davis and Jennifer Johnson Jordan were on top of the International volleyball scene.  New comer Misty May and her partner, veteran Holly McPeak rose through the rankings faster than anyone thought possible.  This was going to be a USA year at the Sydney Olympics.  At least that's what I thought.  I was sure that it would be an all-American Gold Medal match.  Instead, we saw both American teams drop out in round three, sharing a 5th Place finish, and ending any hopes for an American Women's medal finish.

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