SULLIVAN'S SPIKES: BRAZIL NEXT, MEDAL ROUND AHEAD

Welcome to Sullivan's Spikes! During the Olympic Games Erik Sullivan, the newest member of the Colorado volleyball coaching staff, will give an insiders perspective on Team USA's quest for a gold medal in mens' volleyball in Athens. An eight-year veteran of the US National Team, Sullivan is competing with Team USA in his second Olympic games.

August 22, 2004

We had an early one against Australia. Our first at 9:00am. We woke up at 5:30, and beagn all of our preparations which including a decent amount of coffee. We played Australia well with only one lapse at the begining of the second game. We won in four. Then with a little help from our Italian friends, who beat Holland in three, we qualified for the medal round. First time for the men's team in 12 years. A great feeling to know we will move on even though we have one game left in pool play. Still, our final match with Brazil gives us the possibility to improve our position in pool and give us a better seed in the first round, so we have to take it seriously.

Today is just another day of hanging out at the village, watching video and training. Hopefully we can continue playing better and seriously compete for a medal. Our womens team plays Cuba tonight in a must win to advance to the medal round, so we will be watching closely and cheering them on.

Colorado University Athletics