Twelve of 14 American teams survive pool play in FIVB Cincinnati - Articles

When the dust cleared Thursday at the FIVB/ Cincinnati Open, 12 of 14 American teams advanced from the international Olympic qualifier. Six of those teams have legitimate Olympic aspirations with only three events remaining in the Olympic qualification period ending June 13. All six of the American teams in contention advanced from pool play into the 24 team single-elimination bracket. The winning men's and women's teams will split $11,000, and more importantly, 500 Olympic qualifying points. Here's a quick round-up on the men's and women's teams in action today: Men No. 2 Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena of the U.S. are likely to qualify pending completion of their two remaining mandatory events. Dalhausser/Lucena won their pool 3-0, completing two matches in straight sets over No. 15 Maciej Kosiak/Maciej Rudol of Poland 27-25. 21-17 and No. 18 Nicolas Calgrosso/Ian Mehamed of Argentina 21-12, 21-17. Dalhausser/Lucena earn a bye and will play in round 2 at 2 p.m. No. 1 Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson of the U.S., who are likely to qualify second for the U.S. Olympic contingent, also won their pool 3-0, breezing through both matches in two sets against No. 16 Thomas Kunert/Christoph Dressler of Austria 21-14, 21-15 and No. 17 Michal Bryl/Kacper Kujawiak of Poland 21-18, 21-13. Gibb/Patterson also earned a bye and will play in round 2 at 1 p.m. No. 4 Tri Bourne/John Hyden of the U.S., who need some exceptional results to overcome their 450-point Olympic qualification deficit to Gibb/Patterson, split their matches today. Bourne/Hyden beat No. 20 Watson/O'Dea of New Zealand 19-21, 21-13, 15-7,...

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