U.S. men’s volleyball team gets the gold

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BEIJING -- The U.S. men’s volleyball team began the Olympics in tragedy but ended it by winning the gold medal after beating Brazil, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23, Sunday.

It was the first gold for the U.S. men’s team since 1988.

It is the third Olympic gold medal won by the U.S. men’s team after claiming gold in 1984 and 1988. They also won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

The Games, however, began with tragedy when the father-in-law of U.S. Coach Hugh McCutcheon was stabbed to death while visiting a Beijing tourist site. McCutcheon’s mother-in-law also was attacked but survived.

-- Debbie Goffa