Russians surge past Americans in 4 sets

ATHENS, Greece — Russia is one of the biggest, most powerful teams in the world. Already well aware, the United States received another reminder.

Stanislav Dineykin had 20 kills and three blocks to lead the Russians to a four-set victory over the Americans, 22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23 on Thursday.

After opening with a five-set loss to the Netherlands, Russia has won two straight. With opposite Clay Stanley struggling against a towering Russian block, the United States fell to 1-2.

"I need to do a better job of seeing that they're there — or hitting it a little sharper or hitting it more down the line," said Stanley, who still finished with 22 points.

"I took a few good swings down the line and I was feeling good on that," he said, "but you can only take so many before they start to figure it out."

Russia took its first lead of the fourth set at 14-13, and things went back and forth until Alexey Kuleshov blocked a kill attempt by Stanley to make it 24-22.

The Americans were only able to fend off match point once. Fittingly, the 7-foot-1 Dineykin ended it with a kill that bounced off Lloy Ball.

"Both teams played very well, but we made less mistakes," Dineykin said.

That's exactly how the Russians succeed.

After falling behind 7-1 and losing the first set, Russia found its rhythm. Nearly impossible to blow out with their grinding, defensive-oriented style, the Russians play a smart, patient game and use their raw power at the net when it matters most.

Given a spark from reserve middle blocker Andrey Egorchev, Russia won the last three sets. Vadim Khamuttskikh, the bearded, animated setter who is playing in his third Olympics, deftly guided the offense.

Dineykin and his fellow blockers frustrated Stanley and the other American hitters, and the Russians' serve was nearly flawless.

"That's one of the strong points of their game," U.S. libero Erik Sullivan said. "They get up by a couple — that just makes it that much easier for them to do that. I think they hit three balls out." -->

Still, the Americans have been playing well — erasing the memory of a winless tournament in 2000.

"I'm really, really proud of this team," coach Doug Beal said. "We haven't given up a set that the other team hasn't had to play really well to beat us."

In other events Thursday:

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