BEIJING — The preview sheet passed out by the Olympic News Service at the men's volleyball venue predicted the Americans would have no problem defeating Serbia in last night's semifinals.

The author obviously didn't know the history between the teams.

The United States (6-0) did advance to tomorrow's Olympic semifinals against Russia, but the 3-2 (20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12) victory didn't come easily.

Clay Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawai'i alum from Honolulu, led the U.S. men with 18 points on 14 kills, two blocks and two aces.

The Americans had to battle back from a 2-1 deficit to advance. With a victory against Russia they would assure themselves of their first Olympic medal since winning a bronze in 1992.

The Americans and Serbs were quite familiar with each another, as Serbia beat them in a World League preliminary match earlier this year before the U.S. prevailed in a gold-medal rematch.

Things looked dire for the Americans last night at the Capital Gymnasium after they fell behind 7-4 in the final game, but they regrouped after coach Hugh McClutcheon called a timeout.

"They were pretty emotional at that point, and I was just trying to get them to settle down a bit," he said. "They were getting a little too out of control. There was no need to panic. We still had plenty of time."

The United States scored the next three points to tie the match, then took the lead for good on a spike by Stanley.

Stanley also had some big blocks down the stretch.

The game was tied again at 10-10 before the Americans got two kills from Stanley and a double block from Stanley and Ryan Millar to take a 13-10 lead.

The match-clinching points came courtesy of Riley Salmon kills, and the outside hitter leapt into the arms of libero Rich Lambourne to celebrate one of the biggest wins in U.S. volleyball history.

"I think it was a testament to Clay that he was still able to come up big down the stretch despite an off night offensively," said Lloy Ball of Woodburn, Ind. "We had a lot of guys who came through when they had to."

Russia eliminated Bulgaria, 3-1 (20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-21).

Scott Pitoniak writes for The (Rochester, N.Y). Democrat and Chronicle. The Miami Herald contributed to this report.

SOFTBALL

BEIJING — Japan defeated Australia, 4-3, in 12 innings yesterday to advance to today's gold medal softball game against the United States. Australia was awarded the bronze.

Justine Smethurst, a University of Hawai'i alum, started for Australia and pitched five innings, allowing two runs and five hits, striking out two and walking none. Australia third baseman Stacey Porter, another UH alum, went 1 for 5 and scored two runs.

Japan's Rei Nishiyama singled to center to drive in Masumi Mishina with the winning run against Australia at Fengtai Softball Field.