Reunion melancholy for former Cougars

BEIJING — The BYU connection at the USA-Venezuela men's volleyball match Sunday extended to the other side of the net as well, with Venezuelan libero Joel Silva in the middle of his collegiate career playing the same position for the Cougars.

And what was supposed to be an anticipated reunion for Silva to play his former coach — U.S. middle blocker Ryan Millar, who was an interim co-head coach two seasons ago in Provo — ended up being an exchange of different emotions.

Silva and his Venezuelan team were well aware of the stabbings of U.S. head coach Hugh McCutcheon's in-laws the day before.

"I talked to Ryan and I said to him that we're sorry about what happened — that it's really sad, it's unbelievable," said Silva after the match. "We're supposed to be here (in the Olympics) in a party, and instead we're in a funeral."