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Following a four-set victory July 27 over Serbia in the final of the FIVB World League, Highland of Palmdale graduate Ryan Millar said the U.S. men's volleyball team entered the Olympics as the "legitimate No. 3 team in the world."

After Friday's 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13 semifinal victory over No. 2 Russia at Capital Indoor Stadium, the Americans have an opportunity to once again be the best Sunday in the gold medal match against top-ranked Brazil, a four-set semifinal winner over No. 10 Italy.

The U.S., which lost to Russia in the 2004 bronze medal match in Athens and again in the 2007 World Cup final, is seeking its first men's indoor volleyball gold medal since 1988. The Americans won back-to-back gold medals in 1984 and '88 and followed with a bronze in 1992, but haven't medaled since, going winless in 2000.

Reid Priddy led the U.S. with 17 kills and 12 digs, Pierce College alum Riley Salmon added 13 kills and 10 digs, Millar added 12 kills and two blocks, and Clay Stanley recorded 11 kills and six digs for the Americans, who rallied from a 12-11 deficit in the final set. Pepperdine graduate Sean Rooney sparked a six-point scoring run for the U.S. to close out the second set.

The U.S. had an opportunity to close the match out in three sets, rallying from a three-point deficit to tie the score at 24-24 in the third, but Russia extended the match before forcing a deciding fifth set with a convincing win in the fourth.

The Americans swept Brazil 25-23, 25-22, 27-25 in Rio de Janeiro on July 26 to reach the FIVB World League final. Brazil defeated Italy in 2004 in Athens to capture the gold medal.

Brazil beat the Americans in four sets in the 1992 semifinals in Barcelona en route to capturing the gold medal.

Looking for its first Olympic medal since 1992 in Barcelona and its first gold since 1988 in Seoul, the United States volleyball team enters the quarterfinals with an undefeated 5-0 record in pool play.
The United States defeated Japan in three games and will face Serbia Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
Ryan Millar of Lancaster and a Highland High School graduate had 10 points, five on kills and four blocks.
"Ryan is having a very good tournament," U.S. Olympic men's indoor volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "He is hitting the ball with a lot range, being able to attack a lot of zones. I am very happy with his offensive output. I also think he is doing a nice job defensively with his blocking. He has been serving for a lot of points."

The United States Olympic Committee issued a statement from Hugh and Elisabeth McCutcheon on the condition of Barbara Bachman, who was attacked while visiting the Drum Tower in Beijing on Saturday. Bachman is the mother-in-law of Hugh McCutcheon, United States Olympic men's indoor volleyball coach. Bachman's husband, Todd Bachman, who was the father of Elisabeth McCutcheon, was killed in the attack by a knife-wielding assailant. Elisabeth McCutcheon was with her parents at the time of the attack, but was not injured.
The following is the statement released by the McCutcheon's:

The United States Olympic Committee is extremely pleased to announce that the condition of Mrs. Barbara Bachman has been upgraded from critical to serious but stable.
Hugh & Elisabeth McCutcheon Open Letter
During this tremendously difficult time, we have been blessed to be surrounded by a tremendous support system of caring individuals and organizations. We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of assistance and generosity that we have received and hope to convey our appreciation to everyone who has supported us and kept us in their thoughts and prayers.
The long list of people who have offered their assistance, kind words and prayers to us has been incredible. This letter cannot do justice in acknowledging the love and support we've felt. However, to begin with, we'd like to express our deep gratitude to the following:
First, we'd like to thank our family and friends, who have been ceaseless in sending their prayers and love to our families.
We'd like to thank the talented and caring staff and physicians at the local hospital that is working around the clock to attend to the recovery of our Mom. We'd also like to express our gratitude to the officials from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mayor of Beijing, and their staff members who have been with us here at the hospital.
We'd like to thank President Bush and Ambassador Randt for their kind words and strength. We also thank the U.S. Embassy and its staff for everything they've done.
We'd like to thank the USA Volleyball family for their never-ending support. It is a close-knit family that is close to our hearts and close to the hearts of our parents, Todd and Barbara.
We'd like to thank the United States Olympic Committee for their immediate assistance and willingness to attend to all of our needs, and for being with us here at the hospital throughout.
We'd like to thank the generous sponsors who have made their resources available to us without question, specifically Johnson & Johnson.
We'd like to thank the FIVB for its flexibility and support of our coaches and athletes.
We'd like to thank the International Olympic Committee and the Beijing Organizing Committee for their support throughout this tragedy.
And finally, we'd like to thank everyone who has kept our families in their thoughts and prayers throughout our difficult time. We send a special thank you to the people of Beijing, the people of New Zealand, and of course, the people of America. We have been lifted up by the outpouring of support and love we've received from around the world.
Hugh and Elisabeth McCutcheon