Just got done watching live the U.S. men’s thrilling, five-set (25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13) win over Russia in the indoor volleyball semifinals. It is the first time the U.S. men will play for gold since 1988. U.S. coach Hugh McCutcheon continues to deal with the emotional fallout from the murder Aug. 9 of his father-in-law and serious wounding of his mother-in-law by an assailant in Beijing. He has said that he is trying to compartmentalize his emotions during the Games and that the arena offers a sort of sanctuary. I am not sure how he does it.

By Jim Buzinski